Americans celebrate Juneteenth in grand style

Americans across the nation have celebrated Juneteenth.

According to a report, the celebrations over the weekend were a relatively new national holiday commemorating the end of slavery after the Civil War.

The celebrations included cookouts, parades, and gatherings, but some also emphasized the importance of quiet reflection on America’s history of violence and oppression towards its Black citizens.

There was also discussion surrounding the irony of celebrating a holiday that marks the end of slavery while some states prohibit the teaching of its history in public schools.

According to AP, Author Michelle Duster raised this issue on Twitter, questioning whether “Juneteenth is the only federal holiday facing such bans on the teaching of its history and significance.”

States like Florida, Oklahoma, and Alabama have passed measures prohibiting the teaching of certain concepts of race and racism, including an Advanced Placement African American studies course.

Juneteenth, observed on Monday, commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned of their freedom, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued during the bloody Civil War.

In Detroit, a Roman Catholic church dedicated its service to exploring the lessons from the holiday, emphasizing the need for justice and peace.

The struggle for equality is far from over, according to a recent poll, with 70% of Black adults expressing that a lot more needs to be done to achieve equal treatment for African Americans in policing.

Black Americans also experience significantly worse health outcomes compared to their white counterparts.

While the celebration of the end of slavery is relatively new in many parts of the country, Memphis has long celebrated Juneteenth due to its history as a center of the slave trade. The city passed a bill this year to make it a state holiday. Festivities in Memphis include a multi-day festival with food, music, arts and crafts, and cultural exhibitions.

The city is also home to the National Civil Rights Museum, located at the site where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968.

Ryan Jones, the museum’s associate curator, emphasized the significance of Juneteenth as a celebration of independence for a people who endured oppression and discrimination. He urged people to reflect on the sacrifices made by civil rights activists and view Juneteenth beyond parties and cookouts.

While the holiday was marked by celebrations, incidents also occurred. A shooting at a Juneteenth celebration in a Chicago suburb resulted in one death and 22 injuries. The White House offered condolences and assistance to the affected community.

The Juneteenth holiday continues on Monday, with Vice President Kamala Harris scheduled to appear on a CNN special featuring musical guests. Schools and federal buildings will be closed to observe the holiday.