Juneteenth
Marking Liberation, A Moving Target
On June 19, 1865--two years after President Lincoln, a native Kentuckian, signed the Emancipation Proclamation--federal soldiers marched into Galveston, Texas bringing news of the Union’s victory, and, thereby, freeing the country’s last remaining enslaved Black Americans.
Festivals and celebrations marking this historic date as the true ‘Freedom Day’ for Black Americans began and spread across the country rapidly in the late twentieth century. As a result, states began to recognize and observe the significance of June nineteenth—or Juneteenth—as critical to understanding Black oppression and liberation in American history. Ironically, in 1980, Texas was the first state to observe the day as a holiday. Today, twenty-five states have recognized Juneteenth as an official holiday. Unfortunately, Kentucky is not among those states.
Progress on celebrating Black liberation on the federal level was not quick. The United States Congress recognized the day as ‘Juneteenth Independence Day’ as early as 1977, but, facing pushback from white supremacists, would not declare it a federal holiday. In 2021, President Joseph R. Biden signed a bill passed by Congress to set aside Juneteenth, or June 19th, as a federal holiday.
The observance of Juneteenth has the capacity to become a momentous occasion on a national scale, compelling us to pause and deeply contemplate the multitude of liberation episodes that have indelibly influenced the course of our nation's history. In our discussions of significant milestones, we often tend to focus exclusively on emblematic events such as the 4th of July, the American Revolution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Boston Tea Party. This narrow emphasis unintentionally fosters the perception that these particular instances were the sole manifestations of freedom within our country's narrative.
However, it is crucial to recognize that our history is far more nuanced and intricate than a handful of pivotal moments. By broadening our perspective of American Freedom to include Juneteenth, we acknowledge and honor the countless struggles, triumphs, and sacrifices that have shaped the ongoing pursuit of freedom and equality in our nation. It serves as a poignant reminder that the journey towards liberation is not confined to a singular event or a specific group of people. Instead, it encompasses the collective experiences and aspirations of diverse communities throughout our history.
Reflecting on the significance of Juneteenth prompts us to reassess and reframe our understanding of American liberation. It challenges us to move beyond a limited narrative that overlooks the contributions and struggles of marginalized groups. By embracing Juneteenth as a vital part of our national story, we acknowledge the richness and complexity of our shared history. This expanded awareness enables us to engage in meaningful conversations, address systemic injustices, and work towards a society where freedom and equality are universally upheld.
In recognition and observance of Juneteenth as a significant nationwide event, we invite you to take it as an opportunity to foster greater empathy, understanding, and solidarity among people from all walks of life, and encourage you to join us in confronting the uncomfortable truths of our past, while actively dismantling inequitable structures, and striving towards a future where liberation and justice are truly realized for every individual.
