It’s a holiday that a lot of folks don’t know much about, and that’s really sad. It’s not on too many commercial calendars, in fact, I’m looked at my *NSYNC calendar earlier this week and there isn’t a mention of it at all in today’s box. We have other international holidays mentioned all through it, but not one mention of one of the biggest African American holidays.
Folks love to cheer about freedom on July 4th, but in all actuality, everyone wasn’t freed that day in 1776. In fact, it took until the Emancipation Proclamation in January of 1863 for slavery to be outlawed in this great nation…and another two and a half years before it reached the South. Some may say it’s because news traveled a lot slower back then, but I think it was also Southern slave owners wanting to hold onto what little bit of perceived power they had over the slaves they held.
You’ll mostly see this holiday celebrated in the South, especially Texas, and boy do we celebrate! This year’s celebration will look a little different due to COVID-19, but with the uptick in support of the Black Lives Matter movement I feel like it will be more popular. More companies are allowing their employees the day off as a holiday, and I personally took the day off. Instead of the traditional parade, I’ll be celebrating this remembrance day with a few movies that bring me joy and attending a cookout where I can socially distance! What about you? How do you plan on celebrating Juneteenth?