June 19th
is known as Juneteenth celebrating the emancipation of the last remaining
slaves in the U.S. This state holiday is observed in 41 states, the state of
Texas is widely considered to be the first state to have informal celebrations,
and it has been an official state holiday since 1890. Many call it Freedom
day or Emancipation day; I like to call it our own 4th of July since
we weren’t free on America’s Independence Day but that is another topic for
another blog!
The history
of Juneteenth comes from when Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation
on September 22, 1862 with an effective date of January 1, 1863, but for
whatever reasons Texas was not notified until two and a half years later in April
of 1865. Many rumors surround the delay,
some say the messenger was murdered on his way to Texas with the emancipation
news; that the news was deliberately withheld by slave masters to maintain the
labor force and allow them to reap the benefits of one more cotton
harvest. Which to me all above are believable
considering the U.S. history on treatment of Black Americans and former
slaves.
The civil
rights movement of the 1950’s and 60’s embraced this state holiday to celebrate
our freedom and achievement while encouraging self-determination and respect for
all cultures and freedoms. Many of our
youth were pulled into the struggle for equality and learned the historic
struggles of our ancestors. This
celebration has declined as our race forgets the past and focuses on the
materialistic Me Me Me generation rather than our cultural
history. I encourage you the reader to
revisit Juneteenth, spread the word and CELEBRATE
this historic event!
General Order Number 3 from President Abraham Lincoln states:
“The people of Texas
are informed that in accordance with the proclamation form the executive of the
United States, all slaves are free. This
involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former
masters and slave, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes
that between employ and free laborer”
Unfortunately,
once free many slaves had no jobs, savings or means to celebrate this freedom
and still remained slaves, or indebted to their owners. Even today we as Black Americans struggle
with such freedoms, and the right to self-determination and equality. Only through knowledge of our past can we
prepare for our future.
God
bless us all and God bless America.
Peace, Love and Strength
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