Americans Celebrate Juneteenth, Reflect on the End of Slavery after the Civil War

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Over the weekend, Americans across the nation joyously celebrated Juneteenth, the relatively new national holiday that commemorates the end of slavery following the Civil War. The festivities included cookouts, parades, and various gatherings to honor this significant milestone in American history.

While many embraced the long weekend as an opportunity for merriment, others emphasized the importance of somber reflection on America’s history of violent oppression towards its Black citizens. Moreover, some individuals noted the irony of celebrating a federal holiday that signifies the end of slavery while certain states, such as Florida, Oklahoma, and Alabama, have imposed restrictions on teaching its history and related concepts of race and racism in public schools.

Michelle Duster, an author, raised this concern on Twitter, asking if Juneteenth is the only federal holiday facing such educational restrictions. She referred to the measures taken by those states to prohibit an Advancement Placement African American studies course or the teaching of race-related subjects.

This federal holiday, observed on Monday, commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned of their liberation, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

During Juneteenth weekend, a Roman Catholic church in Detroit dedicated its service to urging parishioners to delve deeper into the lessons derived from this holiday. John Thorne, the executive director of the Detroit Catholic Pastoral Alliance, spoke to the congregation at Gesu Catholic Church, advocating that justice is attainable only through the pursuit of peace, and vice versa. He emphasized that while Juneteenth is a day of celebration, it must also embody a broader significance.

Rev. Lorn Snow concurred with the importance of discussing Juneteenth during Sunday Mass, acknowledging that the struggle for equality is far from over and that substantial work remains to be done.

A recent poll conducted by AP-NORC revealed that a significant majority of Black adults, 70%, believe that “a lot” still needs to be achieved to ensure equal treatment for African Americans in policing. Furthermore, Black Americans experience significantly worse health outcomes than their white counterparts in various areas, including maternal mortality rates, asthma, high blood pressure, and Alzheimer’s disease.

While celebrations marking the end of slavery are relatively new in many parts of the country, Memphis has been observing Juneteenth for years, especially due to its historical significance as a former hub of the slave trade. In 2021, the Tennessee Legislature passed a bill designating it as a state holiday. The city hosts a multi-day festival featuring food, music, arts and crafts, and cultural exhibitions in a picturesque park located in the medical district. Previously, the park housed an equestrian statue and the grave of Nathan Bedford Forrest, a slave trader and Confederate general. However, both the statue and the remains were relocated in recent years.

Memphis is also home to the National Civil Rights Museum, situated at the site of the former Lorraine Motel, where the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968. The museum will provide free admission on Monday in honor of the holiday. Visitors can listen to recorded speeches from influential civil rights leaders, including King, Fannie Lou Hamer, and Medgar Evers.

Ryan Jones, the museum’s associate curator, emphasized that Juneteenth should receive the same level of recognition as Independence Day, considering it as the independence of a people who endured oppression and discrimination based on their skin color. Jones stated that the holiday is not solely about parties and cookouts but should also serve as an occasion for contemplation of the past.

Unfortunately, incidents marred the Juneteenth celebrations, including a shooting in a Chicago suburb late Saturday night, resulting in one fatality and 22 injuries. The incident, which occurred during a gathering in a Willowbrook strip mall parking lot, was reportedly a Juneteenth celebration. The White House issued a statement expressing condolences and offering assistance to the community affected by the tragedy.

The holiday observance continues on Monday, featuring Vice President Kamala Harris’s appearance on a CNN special, accompanied by musical performances by Miguel and Charlie Wilson.

On this day, schools and federal buildings will remain closed to commemorate Juneteenth.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Juneteenth celebration

More about Juneteenth celebration

• History of Juneteenth
• Juneteenth National Independence Day Act
• Juneteenth Celebrations and Events
• National Civil Rights Museum
• AP-NORC Poll on Policing and Racial Equality