Photograph of Emancipation Day celebration on June 19, 1900. Photo provided by the Austin History Center
According to the article, "They Closed the Town Up Man!: Reflections on the Civic and Political Dimensions of Juneteenth”, William H. Higgins Jr. states, “Juneteenth is a persistent regional metaphor of the Black American experience. Its myriad rituals, beliefs, legends, and symbols all center on the Black American community's long and as yet unresolved struggle to wield meaningful political power and to be accorded civic respectability.”
Higgins’s statement is significant because it highlights the importance of Juneteenth. Celebrated annually on June 19th, the unofficial American holiday remarks on the unique and painful struggles black people face in the country. And with the advent of the Black Lives Matter movement and the growing awareness of systematic racism in the United States, it is now an excellent time for you to learn more about the celebration.
Here is a quick primer on the history of Juneteenth, its mode of celebration, and its growing prominence in mainstream culture.
What is Juneteenth
Known as Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, and Juneteenth Independence Day, Juneteenth celebrates the emancipation and end of slavery in the United States, particularly in east Texas. The holiday date backs to June 19, 1865. On this day, Major General Gordon Granger and a regiment of Union army soldiers arrived in Galveston, TX, to announce the end of the Civil War and slavery.
Granger made this announcement two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. The order 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 involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property, between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them, becomes that between employer and hired labor. The Freedmen are advised to remain at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts; and they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.”
Although Abraham Lincoln legally freed the slaves on January 1, 1963, many slaveowners continued to practice slavery. Some of these owners purposely moved to Texas, one of the last remaining Confederate strongholds, to avoid cooperating with the Union. So, when Granger arrived, he had no other choice but to announce General Orders #3. That is why Juneteenth symbolically represents the emancipation of black people everywhere.
How is it Celebrated
Initially celebrated in eastern Texas and western Louisiana, people celebrate Juneteenth by hosting pubic events, such as parades, barbeques, sports gatherings, musical performances, lectures, and festivals. One of the earliest Juneteenth celebrations took place in Houston, Texas. In 1872, four black leaders named Richard Allen, Richard Brock, Elias Dibble, and Reverend Jack Yates, purchased four acres of parkland as a home base for Juneteenth celebrations and named the recreational area, Emancipation Park. For decades, this was one of the only parks available to black people in the Houston area. Now fully renovated, folks from all walks of life come to the historic park for reflection, history, and jubilation. It even became a UNESCO Slave Route Project site in 2019.
With the ongoing threat of the pandemic, many Juneteenth events are taking place online. Some of the events that are happening this weekend include the 2020 Juneteenth Music Festival and the Juneteenth Online Festival.
Juneteenth in the Mainstream
Juneteenth is featured much more prominently in the mainstream. Not only is there a growing awareness of the holiday thanks in part to social media and niche news publications like The Root and Essence Magazine, but several major companies are also recognizing the day as an important holiday. Companies like J.C. Penny, Nike, and Spotify are giving their employees paid holiday time off to reflect on Juneteenth. Google has also published a YouTube Video illustrated by Los Angeles based artist Loveis Wise and narrated by actor Levar Burton that honors the 155th anniversary of the holiday. And notable ice cream company Ben & Jerries released a statement on Juneteenth to defund the police and invest in local communities.
Final Thoughts
Despite being written several decades ago, it is not surprising that Higgins's words still hold up to this day. Juneteenth represents the struggles and triumphs that the black community has endured in this country. However, the unofficial holiday has a long way to go. Its awareness in the American conscience is just getting started. Hopefully, this quick primer will inspire you to learn more about the holiday, to seek out events related to the emancipation of black Americans, and to give back to your community.
Resources
Academic Guide: “Juneteenth: An American Holiday,” edited by Lynne Hamer, Geneva J. Chapman, and Lucy Thelma Osbourne
Television: ”Juneteenth Special,” by Black Nouveau
YouTube: “This Is Why Juneteenth Is Important for America,” by The Root
Podcast: “The Belated National Embrace of Juneteenth,” by Slate’s What Next
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