What Is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth—short for June Nineteenth—is a holiday commemorating the day in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced the end of slavery to the last remaining enslaved Black people in the United States. Though the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, it took over two years for that freedom to be enforced in Texas.
On June 19, Union General Gordon Granger read General Order No. 3, which stated:
"The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free."
This day came to symbolize the true end of slavery in the United States, though systemic racism and state-sanctioned violence would persist in other forms.
Why the Delay?
There are many reasons why freedom was delayed for Black people in Texas:
•Lack of enforcement: Texas was geographically remote and less monitored by Union forces. Many slaveholders simply ignored the Emancipation Proclamation.
•Resistance from enslavers: Many white landowners in Texas continued to exploit enslaved people for labor for as long as they could.
•Economic motives: The end of slavery meant the loss of free labor, so plantation owners delayed the news and emancipation to squeeze out one last cotton harvest.
Freedom wasn’t handed over easily. It was delayed, resisted, and diluted—and yet, Black communities across the country persisted.
The First Juneteenth Celebrations
After the announcement in Galveston, newly freed Black people began celebrating Juneteenth the very next year in 1866. These early celebrations included parades, prayer gatherings, music, food, and the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation.
Juneteenth became a day of both joy and mourning—a celebration of freedom hard-won, and a remembrance of all those who suffered and died in bondage.
Despite facing Jim Crow laws, segregation, and attempts to erase Black history, the holiday endured through oral traditions and community-led efforts.
Juneteenth Today: Why It Still Matters
Juneteenth became a federal holiday in the U.S. in 2021, after decades of advocacy. But its significance goes far beyond symbolic recognition; It calls attention to delayed justice. The fact that slavery ended on paper in 1863, but not in reality until years later, is symbolic of how racial justice continues to be postponed, denied, or watered down. It reminds us of the unfinished struggle: Mass incarceration, police violence, economic inequity, and ongoing anti-Blackness are modern-day chains. True liberation still hasn’t been realized.
It honors Black resistance. Juneteenth is a celebration of Black survival, innovation, resilience, and strength in the face of systemic violence.
Solidarity and Responsibility
Juneteenth is not just a “Black holiday.” It is a moment of national reflection. For non-Black people, especially white and non-Black allies, Juneteenth is a day to:
•Educate yourself about the legacy of slavery, reconstruction, Jim Crow, and present-day injustices.
•Uplift Black voices and leadership in your communities and workplaces.
•Support Black-owned businesses, creators, and grassroots organizations.
•Reject performative allyship—liberation is not about optics, it’s about action.
How to Commemorate Juneteenth
1. Attend local events – Look for parades, marches, or educational events in your area.
2. Support mutual aid efforts– Especially those led by Black organizers.
3. Host a gathering or teach-in – Bring your community together to learn and reflect.
4. Engage politically – Advocate for racial justice, vote in local elections, and hold officials accountable.
5. Reflect – Juneteenth isn’t just about celebration; it’s about recommitting to the ongoing fight for justice.
Final Thoughts: No One Is Free Until We All Are
Juneteenth is a reminder that freedom has always been fought for—not granted. It challenges us to question what freedom truly means if Black, Indigenous, and marginalized people are still surveilled, silenced, and targeted.
Let Juneteenth be more than a day off work. Let it be a day on: for education, activism, and meaningful steps toward collective liberation.
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