A TEACHERble Moment

Historical Factors Contributing to the Establishment of Juneteenth

On January 1, 1863, in the United States, the Emancipation Proclamation did not bring an immediate end to slavery. In Galveston, Texas, African Americans remained enslaved for two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the decree. Such realities persisted in states that remained under Confederate control at that time.

In Texas, nearly 300,000 individuals remained in a state of enslavement, enduring dehumanization and alienation from the land they tirelessly toiled upon, all against their will.

The institution of slavery in America was characterized by severe injustices: families were forcibly separated, women and children subjected to sexual violence and physical abuse, men were castrated and dehumanized, referred to as animals or dogs, and some were even killed for possessing the ability to read or write because it was a crime. Native names were erased. Individuals were murdered for their desire to be treated with fairness, forced to subsist on leftover scraps for their meals, provided with meager accommodations for rest, and underwent discriminatory practices such as the brown paper bag test to determine their suitability for housework or field work.

Both were unpleasant.

These tragic conditions continued in America for nearly 250 years, and their conclusion was not signified by legal amendment. In reality, the specter of racism endures, heavily entrenched in society, and it will not dissipate easily.

The Significance of Juneteenth

On June 19, 1865, hence the name “Juneteenth,” Union troops led by Major General Gordon Granger arrived at Galveston Bay, Texas, to announce the executive decree that the nearly 300,000 enslaved African Americans were now freed individuals within the state of Texas. It was on December 6, 1865, that the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified, formally abolishing slavery across the nation.

The nation would find itself in the Reconstruction era, spanning from 1865 to 1877. Formerly enslaved African Americans would begin “reconstructing” their shattered lives, actively searching for their families, seeking reparations, advocating for progressive legislation, and establishing schools to initiate positive change. They were driven by empowerment: the empowerment to transform both their lives and the fabric of their country.

This marked a resurgence of hope.

Celebrating Juneteenth

Juneteenth is a holiday and occasion for all individuals to acknowledge. It features gatherings, including festivals, parades, and concerts, that honor the significance of African American culture and artistic expression. There are moments of reflection amid enjoyment where heritage speaks through food, music, and laughter, all while highlighting the narrative of the struggle for freedom and the fight for transformation.

Black entrepreneurs and small businesses sell and promote their products not only to garner support but also to emphasize their skills and the notion of self-made success, a trajectory that was historically unviable for our ancestors.

Conclusion

I encourage you to celebrate your freedom today and the freedom of others!

For more on Juneteenth, visit https://www.juneteenth.com

Happy Juneteenth, esteemed readers.

References

“Juneteenth.” National Museum of African American History and Culture, 7 Jan. 2025, nmaahc.si.edu/explore/moments/juneteenth