Post Views: 4,194

Juneteenth is a critical day in American History. I struggle with celebrations around the 4th of July every year because all I can think is, not all of us were free. I think about Frederick Douglass’ speech, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”

History can slip through the cracks if we don’t pay attention. It was not until 1980 that Texas officially recognized June 19th as a state holiday. Yet, America celebrates its independence each year on July 4th …even though everyone was not free on this day. Black America, however, did not forget. Black Americans have celebrated Freedom Day since 1865.

America celebrates its independence each year on July 4th ...even though everyone was not free on this day. Black America, however, did not forget. Black Americans have celebrated #FreedomDay since 1865. Click To Tweet

History still slips through the cracks today.  

Did you know that Mississippi did not officially abolish slavery until 2013? Yes, 2013. When the 13th Amendment was adopted in 1865, outlawing slavery and involuntary servitude (except for criminal punishment), 35 states ratified it. Three states still did not ratify the 13th Amendment until after the 1900s... two of those in our lifetimes. Kentucky finally ratified the amendment in 1976, and Mississippi in 2013. It wasn’t until a professor at the University of Mississippi watched the movie Lincoln, that he noticed this oversight.

Three states did not ratify the 13th Amendment until after the 1900s.. Kentucky in 1976, and Mississippi in 2013. It wasn’t until a professor at the University of Mississippi watched the movie Lincoln, that he noticed this… Click To Tweet

In fact… this was not the first oversight. Mississippi originally voted to ratify the 13th Amendment in 1995, but the Secretary of State never took the time to file the paperwork. Abolishment of Slavery to me seems like a pretty large oversight. Maybe it’s just me.

Mississippi originally voted to ratify the 13th Amendment in 1995, but the Secretary of State never took the time to file the paperwork. Abolishment of Slavery to me seems like a pretty large oversight. Click To Tweet

This is why Juneteenth is so important; it is a day we celebrate and commemorate the righting of wrong in American history. This piece of American history cannot be forgotten. Without the acknowledgement and celebration of Juneteenth, what are we saying as an American society?

Juneteenth is a day we celebrate and commemorate the writings of wrong in American history. It cannot be forgotten. Without the acknowledgement and celebration of #Juneteenth, what are we saying as an American society? Click To Tweet

My task for myself every year is to celebrate both 4th of July and Juneteenth with the same gusto. I see it as my duty as a responsible citizen to educate myself on the history of our nation and the independences — even if the reminder that not everyone was free is uncomfortable. I encourage you this year to celebrate independences and Freedom Day with your families. We are not free until we are all free. It is all of our history, and we can’t let it slip through the cracks.