Our history books omit many aspects of history especially when it is related to Black Americans. You probably heard or read about the Emancipation Proclamation and were told it freed the slaves, but that is an overly simplistic description of what happened.
The South was attempting to secede the Union. In the romantic version of history, the North wanted to end slavery because they grew a conscience. But, the decision was much more political than moral. Then President Abraham Lincoln was determined to stop the Civil War and preserve the Union.
President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation and called for enslaved people to be freed by January 1, 1863.
Most slaves still didn’t know about their freedom. Over 1 million enslaved Black Americans were still in bondage in the Union. Union soldiers were still fighting confederate territories to free them. Finally, in 1865, the 13th Amendment was passed formally abolishing slavery and the Civil War ended.
Still enslavers withheld information and slavery continued until Union troops advanced into territories.
Texas would be the final state where Black Americans remained hostages. The freedman in Texas organized a celebration on June 19th called, “Jubilee Day”, where freed Black Americans celebrated the end of slavery. It would become a second Independence Day in America where the descendants of enslaved Black Americans celebrate their heritage and liberation.
Texas was the first state to formally recognize this holiday. Efforts to make it a federal holiday were just passed unanimously by the Senate.
Why is it important? Independence Day in America is celebrated every July 4th which is a recognition of the Declaration of Independence when America freed itself from British Rule.
Yet, during the time of birth of America as an Independent nation, Black Americans were still not considered to be people and were enslaved. While many Black Americans participate in July 4th festivities, it doesn’t match their experience or their actual history in America.
It’s just another representation of how there are two different experiences within America based on your race.
In reality, despite freeing Black Americans in 1865, there were multiple efforts to prevent them from being productive members of society. Even within the 13th amendment, the wording denounces involuntary servitude, unless as punishment of a crime. Prison labor became a replacement for slave labor.
Jim Crow laws were enacted post-Civil War until 1968 and legal segregation prevented Black Americans from holding jobs, voting, getting an education and other opportunities.
In the South, they had Black Codes, which were local state laws that forced Black Americans to sign contracts for labor. If they refused, they were arrested and forced to work as unpaid labor.
After peaceful marches and violent protests, the Civil Rights Act of 1968 was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson, declaring Black Americans have access to fair housing and other liberties afforded to all people.
If you’ve paid attention to anything that has happened in the past two years, you are aware that it still hasn’t happened and the social injustices still affect the lives of Black Americans and people of all races, sex, religion and natural origin.
If nothing else proves it, it’s the fact that you might just be learning about Juneteenth for the first time.
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This post is republished on Medium.
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Juneteenth Celebration in Emancipation Park in Houston’s Fourth Ward 1880, Public Domain
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