Juneteenth is all about emancipation — freedom.
For Black Americans, Juneteenth is as much about liberty as the Fourth of July.
While the Emancipation Proclamation was signed Jan. 1, 1863, it was more than two years later that many Americans living in the West learned they were free.
Despite the proclamation, word had not reached Texas until June 19, 1865, when a Union general made the declaration in Galveston.
Freed men, women and children celebrated.
Large public celebrations began the very next year on June 19, 1866, and in many communities, the annual celebration of freedom has continued ever since.
It was not until 2021, however, that Juneteenth was formally recognized as a federal holiday.
If we are not all free, are any of us really free?
While Juneteenth marks the freedom of Black slaves and the end of the darkest chapter in American history, the day should be embraced and celebrated by everyone.
It was not until that day on June 19, 1865, that Americans began to live up to the most scared words in its most sacred secular text: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. – That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”
You cannot embrace American freedom without embracing all of those words for all people.
In addition to special events, Major Stephen Carroll, Jr., formerly of the Salvation Army Niagara Falls Corps, offered up these ideas to help mark Juneteenth:
• Visiting a local anti-racism-related historic attraction, for instance, there’s the Freedom Crossing Monument in Lewiston.
• Volunteering — When you volunteer, it usually benefits you more than the people you serve. If you let the experience change you, then the unintended benefits may impact more people than you could ever dream.
• Watch a movie — Almost every streaming platform has a section dedicated to Juneteenth or Black themes.
• Read a book — Take your pick — political, poetry, fiction, history, all with related themes.
• Take a break — Rest is important. If we don’t take time to process the stress and seek to understand what is going on around us then we begin to internalize the emotions and stress and it can become physically unhealthy.
Most importantly, as with other federal holidays such as Memorial Day and Independence Day, today should be a day of reflection. Take a few moments to at least to remember that grim time in our history and to honor those who suffered.