On Friday, June 19th, 1865, enslaved Black Texans found out that they had finally been freed… on January 01st, 1863…
June 19th, was the day enslaved people *found out* that they had legally been free for over 2.5 years .
The observance of Juneteenth is known as African American Emancipation Day in the US. Today, Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom & emphasizes education & achievement.
This 2.5 year silence by an entire White population kept Black Texans enslaved illegally for 30 months. The supremist structure is dependent on the silence & neutrality of the unoppressed. This is as true today as it was in the 1860s.
Do you honour Juneteenth? Author and advocate Opal Lee has campaigned over the past 40 years for widespread celebration of Juneteenth, & in 2016 (at the age of 90) began a cross-country walk to raise awareness & have the day recognized as a nationally observed holiday. You can learn more about Ms. Lee at: www.opalswalk2dc.com.
If you would like to learn more about Juneteenth & the possible reasons for a 2.5 year delay before Black Texans learned they were free please refer to this excellent resource:
