In this special edition of Academically Speaking, Dr. Theodorea Regina Berry, Vice Provost and Dean of the College of Undergraduate Studies, talks about the history of Juneteenth and its significance for Black Americans.
Dr. Theodorea Regina Berry:
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Hello, I’m Dr. Theodorea Regina Berry, and this is Academically Speaking. Today, I want to talk to you about Juneteenth. Many of us know that the Emancipation Proclamation was signed on January 1st, 1863. It was a historic moment in the midst of the Civil War, where President Abraham Lincoln, in this executive order, freed all slaves in Confederate states. This meant that he did not necessarily free those who were allied with the Union, but yet, in this bold move, insisted that, in order to reunify the country, all citizens, regardless of race, needed to be free. This also provided an important resource, in relationship to human resources, that were necessary in order to win the war. But what’s most important was that a large group of citizens, who had contributed a vast amount to this country, now had the ability to engage on their own as free citizens.
Unfortunately, however, what followed behind that was the way in which news regarding this particular legislation, this executive order, was carried through the southern states. In one particular case, in the state of Texas, relatively new to the Union, enslaved individuals had not been formally informed that the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed. While there was news that had traveled by way of steamship and by train, that had traveled through the area, regarding this news, individuals who had been enslaved were fearful that enacting upon what they believe to be true in a state that did not honor such truth would be dangerous. In two and a half years later, in June 19th, 1865, federal troops found themselves traveling to Texas, to Galveston specifically, to deliver this news to individuals who had been freed two and a half years earlier, but still functioning in servitude. This was significantly important.
This allowed these citizens to make decisions on their own about how to pursue their livelihood. This momentous occasion has been celebrated since that day. Initially in Texas, celebrations named Juneteenth, a combination of the words “June” and “19th” sparked opportunities to understand the power of freedom. These celebrations included a plethora of foods and lots of songs that honor the celebrations and their freedom. This is a historic moment that we continue to celebrate today, because these celebrations didn’t just happen in Texas. As years passed, celebrations spread throughout the South, through the Midwest, and finally, into northern areas of the United States. All of these celebrations were in honor of individuals who had heard the news of their emancipation, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. This is important, because we know how powerful and important freedom is in the United States. And the fact that this celebration has occurred throughout the states and, in many states, is observed as an official holiday is significantly important. But what has been more important is a recent phenomenon that has taken place on the federal level.
Juneteenth of 2021, President Joseph Biden signed into federal law making Juneteenth a federal holiday. This is a momentous and long awaited occasion for individuals who are successors of enslaved individuals, who have been celebrating unofficially for more than 150 years. President Biden honors the sacrifices that many had made in relationship to the freedoms that they so long desired. This is important, because as we consider Juneteenth, that had been sort of an unofficial independence day for many Black Americans for many years, now culminates with this notion of freedom and independence that we celebrate on July 4th. It’s significantly important for citizens who had contributed so much to this country to feel as if their freedom, though after the independence of the country, is equally as important as the freedom that we gained with the independence of this country.
Juneteenth is currently celebrated in most states in the United States and, in many states, including many southern states, is an official holiday celebrated by many individuals. There are opportunities for music and concerts that honor the history of Black Americans, to be played out in various spaces. There are parades that celebrate momentous occasions in the history of Black Americans. There are lectures and dances and all kinds of ways in which Black Americans celebrate Juneteenth in this country. We will continue to celebrate, because we know that freedom is not free. And we understand how important it is that all citizens honor their ancestors and the contributions that they’ve made to this country.
On this Juneteenth, we will continue to celebrate. We will honor our ancestors. We will march in parades. We will celebrate with picnics and festivals. We will sing songs. We will hear histories and stories from individuals who have long since passed away but lived long in our memories. This Juneteenth, we will continue to teach stories to younger children and help them to understand the significance of the contributions that Black Americans have made to this country. And then, this Juneteenth, we will hold hands and celebrate with those inside and outside of our communities, because Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom. For Academically Speaking, I am Dr. Theodorea Regina Berry, and happy Juneteenth.
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