Everything Important You Need to Know About Juneteenth

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On June 19th, 1865 , Juneteenth was created and has been celebrated on this day ever since. Some may know it as Emancipation Day or Freedom Day. On that date Major General Gordan Granger ,who fought for the union, led soldiers to Galveston, TX to deliver a message. The Civil War was over and the Union had won. This day enslaved African-Americans around the country were declared free under the terms of the 1862 Emancipation.

Not many people know of this historic day. Even I had just learned about Juneteenth this time last year. But it’s never too late to learn and educate yourself. There is a phrase that has been getting more and more attention in society. And it is that:

Recently, President Joe Biden declared Juneteenth as a national holiday. But that doesn’t mean what you think it does to the Black community. Bold to assume that everyone would even know what Juneteenth is. Who’s to say that he even knows fully what it is about. Instead of actually making change and initiating something to help the Black community in America. He decides to use performative activism. So, once again, it is Black people having to educate the rest of society. For those of you who may not have ever heard of Juneteenth or don’t fully understand it. Here is everything important you need to know about Juneteenth.

So, what does Juneteenth represent?

Well, the first thing to note is how the name was created. They combined “June” & the “nineteenth” from the day Gen. Granger arrived in Galveston. When he arrived in Galveston he read something called the General Order Number 3. This was a document that read about the status of slavery in the country. It stated that:

slavery would no longer tolerated
all slaves were now free
all slaves become hired workers and treated as such.

“The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property, between former masters and slaves and the connection heretofore existing between them, becomes that between employer and hired labor. The Freedmen are advised to remain at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts; and they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.”
GENERAL ORDER NUMBER 3

This was like breaking down a barrier for the now free Blacks in the country. When it comes to what Juneteenth represents it is about new beginnings. It’s a day to acknowledge the pain & new pathways that the former enslaved African-Americans had to go through. While also putting history in it’s place. As well as shining a light on the African-Americans that built this country without any ounce of recognition. It’s a day to open our eyes at the flawed country we live in.

What does the flag symbolize?

The Juneteenth flag was first created in 1997 by Ben Haith. A former Massachusetts State Director for the National Juneteenth Celebration Foundation. In 2000, it got revised to what is today. The flag has a 12-pointed star with a white 5-pointed star inside it. With a blue on top and red on bottom background. With the stars representing Texas with the burst being new freedom throughout the land over the horizon hence the arch of red. The reason why the flag has the American red, white, and blue is a “symbol that gives all Americans the opportunity to recognize American freedom & African American History”. As said by the National Juneteenth Celebration Foundation.

So, were the slaves immediately free?

Technically, yes and no. In Texas, their freedom wasn’t instant. In the entire state of Texas lived 250,000 enslaved people. It was up to their master’s to decided when & how to announce the news. Either that or wait for the government to arrive. Which was not an uncommon to delay since they usually waited till after harvest. In Galveston, ex-Confederate mayor forced freed people back to work. As if the General Order didn’t exists. If they tried to leave then they were either lynched or gunned down where they stood.

Juneteenth is a national holiday, so now what?

Nothing. Juneteenth becoming a national holiday is big deal. But it also is something that the Black community didn’t ask for. Over the years, Black history has been overlooked. Seen as not as important as the white washed American History. Juneteenth becoming a national holiday is a easy way to show false support. Performative activism if you will. Instead of putting in the work to actually make a change for the Black community they create a holiday.

A holiday that will soon (maybe sooner than we think) become like Cinco de Mayo. An excuse for non-black owned businesses to profit off of Black people. Same as it has always been. The politicians took the easy road. However, this doesn’t do anything for the liberation of Black people. It doesn’t fix the systemic racism. The only thing it does is gloss it over. With a little red bow on top.

Juneteenth is not only a celebration…

Juneteenth is more so a time of reflection. To look back at out country and point out the cracks in the system. It especially isn’t a celebration if you are not actively anti-racist. Helping to do the hard work to break down white supremacy. Being anti-racist isn’t just posting a black screen on Instagram and changing your profile picture or putting “BLM” in your bio. It is signing petitions. Going out to protests. Speaking up against racism in your daily lives. Educating your loved ones and the people you know. Personally, educating yourself as well. Looking at the person in the mirror and foxing what you need to improve on.

We are still not free

Lynching is still legal. Police brutality is rising. Racism is getting worse. Schools are trying to stop teachers from teaching black history. Now is the time to not stop fighting for what is right. For just some simple human decency. Yes, Juneteenth is a celebration. But it is also a remembrance. A reference point. We’ve come so far in history yet it feels like we are still stuck in time.

How to observe Juneteenth for everyone:

Listen to podcasts and read books about the real meaning and history of Juneteenth. Google is only one click away. There are many resources at your finger tips.
Do research on what the country is now. Look up statistics and take the time to learn what the Black voices are saying. Learn to uplift them rather than drown them out.
Donate to organizations that lift up Black communities. Find a cause you care about and donate to a Black organization that also supports that cause/
Sign petitions. You may think they have no impact. But the more names that sign, the more noticed it will be.
Invest in Black owned businesses. This is a given for anytime of the year. Support those people not as performance ,but because the product is worth it.

HAPPY JUNETEENTH!!

Thanks for reading this week’s post! Remember, to check out other websites and podcasts for more info on Juneteenth! For the rest of Pride I have two more interviews left in this month. Remember, new posts come out every Tuesday. Don’t forget to follow me on all my socials to be updated when I post. If you have any topics you want me to write about, shoot me a message on Instagram! Until next time

What Is Juneteenth?

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