The significance of "Juneteenth"
Guess what? Today is Friday, June 19 and that means it's "Juneteenth!" Never heard of it, you say? Then you simply don't keep up with obscure constructs. Remember Kwanzaa? I bet you all forgot!
Let me explain: The word (it sounds odd, I know) was obviously a combination of the words June and the nineteenth. Supposedly, it has been a traditional holiday celebrated by some black Americans, yet I doubt many black Americans east of the Mississippi know about it. The state of Texas actually made it a holiday in 1980. Word is that it celebrates Abraham Lincoln's "Emancipation Proclamation" in the midst of the Civil War. A politically calculated speech by Lincoln which elevated the abolition of slavery as the primary reason for going to war with the Confederacy rather than simply keeping the Union together. At the time, the "Proclamation" emancipated none of the slaves in the south, since the Confederates were still in power there. More than likely, it celebrates June 19, 1865 when Federal troops arrived in Galveston Texas and specific orders were given that all slaves be freed.
How long ago did some black Americans start celebrating this day? I can't say. All I can say is that the term suddenly surfaced En Masse via the media when President Trump was put in the position of having to reschedule a rally he had arranged in Tulsa Oklahoma for June 19. That's when the entire nation, for the first time, heard about "Juneteenth!" It was thanks to the screams of outrage from the hard left media of OMG he scheduled it on "Juneteenth" in terrible Tulsa! Thus, the President, who like most people probably never heard of "Juneteenth", rescheduled the event.
Now that we all know what it is, let us all celebrate "Juneteenth" for as long as it lasts!
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To freedom and America!
And here I thought that you and your fellow travelers hung on Trump's ever word and action. Y'all must have missed Trump's yearly message about the significance of Juneteenth.
Here's a link to Trump's message from last year :
Thanks, but no thanks. I'm here to celebrate the day not use it!
That didn't take long........LMMFAO
So you think that in June of 2019 Donald and Melania were using Juneteenth? To what end? Do tell.
I believe it was Rocky Graziano who once said "Why waltz with a guy for 10 rounds when you can knock him out in one?". I'm only trying to celebrate the day I just learned about only a week ago.
I think you missed it - The media used this date to smear the President. They aren't alone!
Are you capable of celebrating the idea of this day?
I think YOU missed that Trump said "Nobody ever heard of it" and is now taking credit for making Juneteenth "very famous".
Trump smears himself, media just reported it.
Yes. My most memorable was at a celebration in Montgomery Alabama with Alpha Phi Alpha in the newly restored Marshall J. Moore home back in the early 1990s.
Without this President scheduling an event on that date, it would still be a great unknown. The vicious reaction of the media brought it to the attention of the nation. So, yes, the President was correct once again!
My most memorable was at a celebration in Montgomery Alabama with Alpha Phi Alpha in the newly restored Marshall J. Moore home back in the early 1990s.
I think some here might be interested in hearing more about that. Do you want to elaborate?
If you don't think that his rally scheduled for Juneteenth didn't raise awareness about the date, you are sadly mistaken. Because of his scheduled date, the media jumped all over it and now the number of people who had no clue that it was a special day in history I would wager to say has at least doubled if not quadrupled or more. In this case, "because Trump" backfired so to speak as the media glorified the day to stick it to him. Must be a bummer for some.
Too bad Rocky ran into Sugar Ray Robinson and was KO'd in the 3rd round.
Utter bullshit. All but ONE state recognizes Juneteenth. Sheesh, stop making up shit.
The Marshall J. Moore house is a beautiful Historical home in Montgomery, Alabama. At the time I was a member of the family and was honored to be invited by Alpha Phi Alpha to see the family home.
Where did I say that it didn't raise awareness Jim?
Wait WHAT? Trump said that his African American friends and followers 'glorified the day' to get him to change the date of his vanity rally yet you insist it was all the media's fault.
Correction, it's no longer just one:
Due to the Tulsa incident, I would venture to say that the term Juneteenth went from obscurity to notoriety in a single day!
When you claimed the President was wrong for essentially saying just that!!!
Too bad we don't have that caliber of fighters anymore. Suffice to say the sport is dead.
Let's try not to stray too far in trying to contradict.
Fault? No, the media pounded on Mr. Trump for picking Juneteenth for his rally. They exposed the date to millions of more Americans than previously had knowledge and as such, due to the scheduling, millions of more Americans LEARNED, for the first time more than likely, of the significance of the date. I said nothing about fault and yes, he was made aware and changed the date FOR those friends feelings about it.
A state can recognize a celebration without making it a state holiday, just like Trump recognized it [until he needed to pretend that no one ever heard of it] without making it a federal holiday.
WHERE Vic? Cite the comment #.
PROVE IT!
Trump has signed a message commemorating Juneteenth EVERY year he has been in office so he was ALREADY 'aware' of the significance of the date. So either Trump's memory sucks or he's pretending ignorance for his base.
1.1.6
He may be aware, but I think it's safe to say most people are not.
Happy Juneteenth!
And? FFS what is wrong with wanting rally on Juneteenth then if he knew the significance or the date? You don't know what his rally message may have included. Give it a fucking rest.
What has that got to do with celebrating this day???????
NAFTA (not a fucking thing............ again)
What did you ask me to PROVE Vic?
Do you know WHERE the rally is Tex? Do you know the history of the Greenwood District of Tulsa Oklahoma?
Hell even you should be able to put Greenwood and Juneteenth together and get your answer.
Oh and BTFW, it would behoove you to go look up the reason Trump gave for changing the date.
If you don't know, I can't help you Jim.
I don't give a fuck what his rally message is but I'll guarantee that HE won't give it a fucking rest.
This article = the new definition of tone deaf
You had an article using this day for political purpose - today is the day and you had no mention of it!
How come?
I think you are at the brink of badly embarrassing yourself. If you want to defend the civil war era south, we can do that .
You did use Juneteenth for political purpose. Today is the day. I was the one one here to commemorate it.
If you want to defend the civil war era south, we can do that .
Why would I or anyone do that, John?
I think they can do without your style of 'commemoration'.
Oh, I firmly believe they can think for themselves, John!
I think I probably first heard the word Juneteenth maybe a decade ago. Never really thought a tremendous amount about it, and have never 'celebrated' it, but I'm not black. I don't celebrate Columbus day , Pulaski Day, or Puerto Rican Day either.
I read the article at the top and it strikes me as a "Lost Cause" embarrassment. Juneteenth does not , at all, refer to the Emancipation Proclamation, so the article's unsubtle mocking of Abraham Lincoln is senseless.
I wonder if the writer of this article adheres to revisionist history of the slavery and civil war era known as the Lost Cause Myth? I almost feel like seeding a few articles on the topic.
You did a few days ago
I read the article at the top and it strikes me as a "Lost Cause" embarrassment. Juneteenth does not , at all, refer to the Emancipation Proclamation, so the article's unsubtle mocking of Abraham Lincoln is senseless.
If you read & understood you would know that was one of the two possible motivations for celebrating the day. I referred to the other as "the more than likely one."
I never mocked Lincoln, actually I gave him credit.
I wonder if the writer of this article adheres to revisionist history of the slavery and civil war era known as the Lost Cause Myth?
No, I'm very clear when I write about history.
I almost feel like seeding a few articles on the topic.
Do an article on it John and I'll critique it for you.
Oh I will. I dont know if it will be immediately, but I will.
Take all the time you want, I love history.
Nope. Your seed isn't clear about the history of Juneteenth at all. You stated:
"Supposedly'? So your in depth knowledge of the history of Juneteenth left you unable to say one way or another?
'yet I doubt' WHAT is your doubt based on Vic?
Oh and since you pretend to be here to celebrate the day, why not be more 'clear' about it's history and the record of celebrations all across the country over the years?
Correct - The history of how it began is obscure. I doubt anyone can say one way or the other.
'yet I doubt' WHAT is your doubt based on Vic?
My doubt is based on conflicting stories of the origins of the day. Until there are clear facts there is doubt.
Oh and since you pretend to be here to celebrate the day, why not be more 'clear' about it's history
The history is vague. Since you posted zero commemorating this day, you really can't criticize anyone. Beyond that, those who have used & abused this day for political reasons should apologize on this day. Time for a cleansing!
Here's what you said Vic:
Nothing about the 'history of how it began', just 'supposedly' black Americans have traditionally celebrated it. The history of how it has been celebrated over the years is documented. JUST STOP.
Why are you continuing to pretend that your statement was in relation to the 'origins of the day'. Here is what you said:
Again, NOTHING about the 'origins of the day', just your doubt that black Americans east of the Mississippi know about it.
Stop misrepresenting your ACTUAL statements and either stand by for them or walk away.
So what? There is a lot documented that the general population doesn't know about. The other day was "Bourbon Day" - I suppose you knew that!
Again, NOTHING about the 'origins of the day', just your doubt that black Americans east of the Mississippi know about it.
Again, I actually gave you two sources regarding the origins - one was the Emancipation Proclamation the other, which I called the more likely was derived from the day June 19, 1865 when Federal troops saw to it that slaves were freed in Texas.
That's how many times now?
Our readers will be bored to tears soon!
Yes. Bored indeed.
Welcome aboard.
Anyone that had to rely on this seed to inform them about Juneteenth must have been living under a rock for the last week.
I view Vic's seed as irony.
This passage from the article is either naive or disingenuous. The Trump campaign deliberately scheduled the Tulsa rally for June 19th AT Tulsa. If they had scheduled a June 19th rally for , say, Indianapolis, nothing would have come of it. Someone may have mentioned Juneteenth but it would not have become a major issue. The Trump campaign wanted the controversy, because it signals to his white base that he is not afraid to offend blacks and liberal snowflakes. It was done on purpose.
You've reverted back to using the holiday for political purpose. Notice that I commemorated the day, while none of our lefties here did. Don't you find that odd?
I hope that black Americans are taking notice.
As for the President you hate, he said this:
"Many of my African American friends and supporters have reached out to suggest that we consider changing the date out of respect for this Holiday, and in observance of this important occasion and all that it represents "I have therefore decided to move our rally to Saturday, June 20th, in order to honor their requests."
He rescheduled for the next day June 20th. God knows what the 20th could be to somebody, somewhere. Nothing from the media, so I guess he's ok for the 20th!
He was willing to change the date because the dogwhistle had already been sent and received.
As for you "celebrating" Juneteenth" by mocking it, lol. It is amazing that you still think you are clever, when everyone sees you as totally obvious.
I know that was your article which used Juneteenth the same way the media did.
As for you "celebrating" Juneteenth" by mocking it
No, John, I understand it and I embrace it. You see, that word wasn't part of progressive newspeak, it actually originated with black Americans to celebrate their freedom. That is something to be celebrated!
Not to be used!
The only people who heard a dogwhistle were progressives.
No surprise.
Again we get to see the far righties revelling in their unrequited ignorance American of history...
You want ignorance on display in full view? Try this one on...................
And just because it was an old statue, they assumed, without any knowledge at all about the man, that it needed to be at least defaced. THAT is ignorance.
What in Hell does that have to do with adults Americans not knowing their 5th grade social studies?
That's when the entire nation, for the first time, heard about "Juneteenth!"
I can't speak for the rest of the "entire nation", but I already knew about it and have for years thanks to my late husband. He was a history buff.
Too bad so many had no idea.
I'm sure other states have holidays that the rest of us don't know about as they are sure to be special to those states.
Oh yes, but one that celebrates being freed from slavery has few equals.
Including you.
Speak for yourself.
I wasn't speaking FOR you Vic. I was speaking ABOUT your seed and your 'supposedly' comments proves that you STILL don't know a hell of a lot about the history of Juneteenth.
What it all proves is that when progressives talk about things like Juneteenth and racial issues - they are being totally disingenuous.
As to who knows what - I leave that, along with your commentary to our readers.
Where did I post.......As for you "celebrating" Juneteenth" by mocking it. That is not in my comment #6.1.1. That was JR's comment, not mine.
It was. That shouldn't have gone there, but the comment I made was a reply to your comment.
Quite amazing lack of knowledge of US History that is being displayed.
Juneteenth became a holiday in Texas in 1979. Currently, 47 states and the District of Columbia observe or celebrate it.
President Obama, Bush and Clinton have spoken about it.
Yes, it is celebrated east of the Mississippi. Currently, there is a Juneteenth gathering in our complex. Social distancing and masks are required.
I attended my first Juneteenth celebration in the mid 70's in Dallas TX. South Dallas to be exact.
Trump learned about the holiday from a black SS agent and said that none of his advisers were aware of it...
LMAO, no surprise there.
Have a great Juneteenth.
Sadly, it seems so, allow me to educate:
Juneteenth became a holiday in Texas in 1979.
From the Britannica:
Juneteenth became a state holiday in Texas in 1980, and a number of other states subsequently followed suit. The day is also celebrated outside the United States, with organizations in a number of countries using the day to recognize the end of slavery and to celebrate the culture and achievements of African Americans .
Have a great Juneteenth.
And you as well
and its wasn't known as juneteeth but emancipation day in texas, I have also heard it called freedom day in some places going back to my High school days and whether or not it is actually observed is basically up to the individual or locale.
Me Juneteenth is the day after my sisters birthday....
Oh, I was aware that it is celebrated in other countries as well as the U.S. Mexico for one where there is an interesting history of blacks and natives involved in it, the Black Seminoles.
What was that Wikipedia? I'm using the Britannica
Yes, it was from Wikipedia. Here are the backup and confirmation of it.
From your "backup" and confirmation of MY BRITANNICA INFO:
"On January 1, 1980, Juneteenth officially became a Texas state holiday. Al Edwards, a freshman
state representative, put forward the bill, H.B. 1016, making Texas the first state to grant this
emancipation celebration. Since then, 45 other states and the District of Columbia have also
commemorated or recognized the day."
Thank you for the help.
It also confirmed what I said about the Emancipation Proclamation and the Federal troops.
Living in SC Emancipation Day was always celebrated on January 1st but there were obvious struggles with Juneteenth where white businesses refused to close.
Both days were referred to as "N****r Freedom Day" by the local white racists. When my boss suggested we close on June 19 we received several anonymous threats to firebomb the business.
Old feelings die hard in the land of cotton.
Which means I share the same birthday as your sister!
Yep, the Democrats simply can't let their legacy of racism go.
Though it is listed as a state holiday here , it is NOT a paid holiday so nothing closes , hell , they don't even close for the major paid holidays here, that is left up to the businesses and the people who would be working.
And some people can't let go of their biased sweeping generalizations either.
SC has been solidly GOP since 1998 with the exception of House Rep Clyberg ( 1983 - ? )
and one recent rep upset.
All the rest, Gov, Lt Gov, State Senate, State House, both Us Senators and 5 of 7 Hose Reps are Republicans
who represent all of the good folks in SC.
Kav. You know I respect you and love talking with you.
I live minutes from Detroit and hadn't heard much about Juneteenth until recently. No one I know personally ever celebrated it; and yes, I am talking about black people from Detroit / Detroit Metro area. So, while it may be popular to the South and West of the Mississippi, I can't speak for the southern states East of the Mississippi, it's not widely celebrated here in Michigan.
I don't believe that I said it's celebrated everywhere in the US.
Click on the link that I posted for Vic and you'll see that Michigan is part of the states that observe it.
Michigan 2005 Mich. Comp. Laws §435.361 (2005)
Didn't say it wasn't "observed" but I don't personally know anyone that has celebrated it prior to this year. That's all I was saying. There's a lot of "observed holidays" that aren't celebrated here.
Be back in a few....
mods take charge
I learned about Juneteenth when I was in college way back in 1990, and have managed to not be willfully blind or ignorant about it since. Funny how that works. It's almost as if not trying to be racist might allow you to stay informed on topics related to race.
Never heard of it except it mentioned in movies, books, etc. The date was not part of my k-12 curriculum nor any of my college courses.
Not a date widely celebrated every year or well known.
I don't know of any national holiday that is solely related to one race.
It is NOT a national holiday, but, as usual, Congress wants to make it one.
Senators on Friday announced legislation to make Juneteenth, a widely observed holiday that marks the federal order to free slaves in Texas on June 19, 1865, a national holiday.
Juneteenth is a local Texas holiday. The "Original" holiday should be the date of the Emancipation Proclamation, April 16, 1862, when the actual federal order to free slaves was issued by Lincoln.
June 2, 1924 should be a National Holiday. That was when Native Americans, who had been on this continent of thousands of years, received the "U.S.Citizenship" - in their own country under the American Indian Citizenship Act.
It's a paid holiday for my beautiful bride.
It has been acknowledged by all but 4 states, HI, SD, ND & Montanna
We should honor both days.
Not in our fair state - NM - as a holiday.
Not a paid holiday in the company I work for nor any previous company I've worked for; I wonder if it's because I work for global companies? I'm in Michigan.
Yeah, nor the 43 years of Fed service I had - nope - no Juneteenth "holiday" nor pay.
She works for an international law firm.
Correction to 10.2.4 - Not a holiday, but local communities are throwing parties. Wonder if they're gonna "Safe Distance"????
Are you saying that NM hasn't signed onto the observation of Juneteenth?
Not what I said.
What did you say, that's why there is a ? after my statement.
We are here in Ocala and masks and distancing are required. In fact, it's two doors down from our house and being held in the driveway so there is plenty of fresh air and room.
Funny. I found the term last year when preparing for my trip to NOLA; otherwise would never had known. My friends had never mentioned the term. If it were a super important day, why wouldn't my friends have mentioned it or celebrated it?
How can one learn or research a term if the term is unknown and had never been mentioned to him / her?
First time I ever heard about Juneteenth was last year when my husband and I were going to New Orleans and before we left, I looked around for ideas of things to do and food to eat. We had a return flight on June 18 and when I read about big celebrations for Juneteenth, I looked it up to learn about it. If we never went to NOLA, I wouldn't have heard about it until now and I live minutes from Detroit. My family helped people through the underground railroad; we're from MI and have been here since 1701 [mom's side, Detroit area] and 1718 [dad's side, throughout the UP].
You'd think that if it were that big of a deal and that well known, I'd have heard about it prior to last year's adventure to NOLA considering Detroit is predominantly black. Not judging... just an observation. I think it's a fantastic celebration.
There's something to be proud of!
You'd think that if it were that big of a deal and that well known,
YES
I'd have heard about it prior to last year's adventure to NOLA considering Detroit is predominantly black. Not judging... just an observation. I think it's a fantastic celebration.
Well said!
I am proud of my family. They've always done what they wanted; not what society expected. I've known 5 of my great grandparents quite well. I loved listening to their stories.
duplicate
It's a Texas thing. In Texas we always knew about it in some form or other. It was carried to some northern states when blacks began leaving the south.
I have heard of it and thought the name was strange. This is first time a big deal has been made about it, I wonder why?.