Remember when I said Juneteenth isn’t associated with Patriotic Colors. Turns out I was wrong. In fact, the Juneteenth Flag is red, white, and blue. Yet, Juneteenth marketing looks like manufactures displayed Kwanzaa decorations too early. Why does this matter? In the United States, May thru September is full of remembrance holidays that our tied to our history. It doesn’t make sense for Juneteenth decorations to lean towards Kwanza. This isn’t a holiday constructed to encompass a countless amount of African traditions into a 7-day celebration.
Truth Is…
The end of the Civil War did not mean freedom for all of enslaved right away. Despite inventions like the telegraph, railway system, and naval advancements, it took time to spread the word. To be fair, a lot of the South was torched in an effort to hasten Confederate defeat. The fact still remains that plantains left standing would not free slaves on their own. So, why is this a patriotic holiday?
Well, this freedom was overdue. The Fourth of July celebrates the remembrance of The Decoration of Independence. This document was the catalyst to the Revolutionary War. Colonist became Americans, but the presence of slaves in the United States of America contradicted the declarations rhetoric. Fast forward to 1861, America is at war with itself.
The Union is trying to bring succeeded states back into the U.S. While, Confederate states are trying to solidify their new government and separation from Abolishinist North. This was a war that put families and friends against each other. Beliefs aside, this war would determine the fate of a nation. After all, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation January 1, 1863. The legitimacy of that proclamation relied heavily on the Union’s victory.
The Confederate States of America’s official defeat (April 9, 1865) made the Emancipation Proclamation legitimate in all Succeeded States. The last slaves to receive that notification from Union troops were informed June 19, 1865. They were enslaved in Galveston, Texas. During the war, many slaves that received word or President Lincoln’s Proclamation left their former owners plantation. Since, Texas succeeded in 1861, it’s not surprising this information was withheld from slaves.
Why Do Some Americans Seem To Care Now
Fast forward to present day. Juneteenth was a holiday that had scattered celebrations throughout the U.S. Fortunately shows like Black-ish brought the holidays significance to it’s viewers October 3, 2017, it was Season Four’s premiere episode. This didn’t start a significant surge of Juneteenth rememberance, but it did reveal history hidden in plain sight. Something else ignited the holidays recent acknowledgement.
On June 17, 2021 Juneteenth became an official Paid Time Off (PTO) holiday for Federal Employees. For those interested, the bill’s name is the Juneteenth National Independence Day. It’s ironic that many people didn’t know what the holiday was about. Yet, qualified employees declared their right to Juneteenth PTO immediately. Since that particular Juneteenth fell on a Saturday. Eligible employees were off within 24 hrs of the bills legitimacy. This year, federal employees will be off Monday, June 19, 2023. Some might see it more as three-day Father’s Day Weekend than a National Independence Day.
Final Thoughts
Knowing the history behind Juneteenth, it’s infuriating that retailers try to add an Afrocentric touch to Juneteenth marketing. It’s a patriotic and federal holiday. It should be treated as such. If the Fourth of July is Red, White, and Blue, I don’t see what Juneteenth can’t be too. Thank you for checking out Trisha’s Go In Fridays. Hope you have a great weekend. See you next week for Motivational Mondays with Trisha!
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