Today isn’t July 4th, but it is, however, Independence Day.
Since I could remember, there has been a debate on why African-Americans celebrate the 4th of July–America’s Independence Day, with little-to-no recognition of Juneteenth–slaves’ Independence Day.
Let’s talk receipts for a moment. On July 4th, 1776, America proclaimed it’s independence from Great Britain. All was fine and dandy for the 13 colonies who had become a new nation; but things were far from fine for those who still had no independence from those 13 colonies.
So what’s Juneteenth? On June 19th, 1865–more two whole years after Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation was put out– the announcement that slaves were finally granted their freedom (and I use the word ‘freedom’ very loosely) was delivered by Major General Gordon Granger in Galveston, Tx.
Although in a recent #Juneteenth address, our nation’s president stated that the United States’ fundamental premise is “that all men and women are created equal,” we want to point out that Independence Day is considered a Federal holiday while Juneteenth is a only a state holiday, observed in only 45 states? So, we’re created equal but the holidays that represent different American communities are not–basically.
Moving right along, the next time you hear someone shade the 4th of July, try and understand their theory–technically African-American’s weren’t free on July 4th, 1776, so the question of why African-American’s celebrate the holiday has a sense of validity. We encourage you to do your research on the holiday(s) we choose to observe (and not observe).
Federal holiday status can’t hold us down though, (but what can!?) there are always numerous Juneteenth celebrations across the U.S., like “Juneteenth Black Festival” in Atlanta, Ga., and “Grown Women Dance Collective Fallen Heroes, Rising Stars Juneteenth Celebration” in Oakland, Ca.
What are your thoughts on the holidays, #Roommates?
TSR STAFF: Chantel P.! @_popchanny on IG!
