Remembering history, importance of Juneteenth

WJBF – As Juneteenth is being celebrated throughout the nation, many people may not know the true meaning of this pivotal day in America’s history.

On January 1st, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation; however, everyone was not free.

“When the Emancipation Proclamation was first signed there were certain states and counties that were still under slavery – that it was not made clear that the enslaved were actually freed,” says Ken J. Makin, the host of Makin’ A Difference. “[…] “When we talk about Juneteenth and its origins, we should talk about the state of Texas.” 

It wasn’t until June 19th,1865 when the Union Soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas and formally announced the end of slavery freeing more than 250,000 enslaved Black people in that state.

However, this is a history lesson that unfortunately Makin says to his knowledge was not taught in many of our educational institutions.

“In the entirety of my grade school experience, I didn’t hear anything about Juneteenth. It was largely unfamiliar. I didn’t know what Juneteenth was until mid to late 20s, early 30s. I think that’s the commentary that a lot of us have, and that’s very unfortunate,” says Makin.

This is why organizations like the Band Of Brothers Augusta are continuing to bring awareness about the importance of the education about and the celebration of Juneteenth.

“It’s our Fourth Of July. It’s actual independence where WE were actually free and WE get to celebrate. It’s our culture, it’s our heritage, it’s our right to celebrate. It’s just that cut and dry,” says Johnny Gregory, III, the president and one of the founding members of the Band Of Brothers Augusta.

And with that, this historical holiday is not just a monumental moment in Black history, but it is a major milestone in American history.

“I think Juneteenth now goes from being a solely African-American holiday; it’s an American holiday. It’s an American institution,” says Makin. “This is an opportunity not just to celebrate the past but the present.”

Juneteenth became a U.S. federal holiday on June 17th, 2021 when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law.