Podcast Season 1, Episode 15 July 2, 2022
In the United States, Juneteenth (June 19) is now an official Federal holiday. June 19, 1865, is the date when the last enslaved people in Galveston, Texas were notified that they had been freed when the Emancipation Proclamation took effect on January 1, 1863, two and one-half years prior.
In 1776, 12 of the 13 colonies ratified the Declaration of Independence written primarily by future president Thomas Jefferson. The Declaration was intended to solidify the Colonies breaking away from British rule as they were already fighting in the Revolutionary War. (New York ratified the Declaration 11 days later.)
Because of the racist and discriminatory experiences of Black people in this country even before its official founding, many Black people feel that they shouldn’t celebrate July 4th, and have decided that Juneteenth is their actual “Independence Day.” They don’t feel the need to celebrate July 4th.
Also, because of the recent Roe v Wade decision by the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) to repeal a woman’s right to choose whether to have an abortion or not and abolish a woman’s freedom over her own bodily autonomy, many women also do not feel very celebratory this upcoming July 4th.
In this 30-minute episode, Keith and Pam discuss both “freedom” days and detail why Black people can and should celebrate both because Black people have been in this country since 1619, helped to build America throughout the centuries, and also bled and died for the freedoms promised by the Declaration of Independence.
What do YOU think? Let us know in the comments.
Juneteenth or July 4th?