For those of you who know what Juneteenth is:

[xiphias]

If you're familiar with Juneteenth, who do you think it's for? Do you think of it as a holiday for all Americans? Only Texans? Only Black Americans? Only Black Texans? Or something else?

Juneteenth celebrates June 19th, 1865, the day that the Emancipation Proclamation was recognized in Texas, the day that slavery ended in Texas. (Even though Lincoln had supposedly "freed the slaves" two and a half years earlier, on January 1, 1863, that was meaningless until Lee surrendered, and the Union was able to move enough troops to Texas to actually do something about it.) Since then, many descendants of Texan slaves have gotten together for cookouts, picnics, and general getting-together-and-having-a-good-time in celebration and remembrance of it.

I know white and Hispanic Texans -- well, a white and a Hispanic Texan -- okay, fine, Scott and Ximena -- who like to acknowledge the day, even though neither of them is descendent from slaves. Actually, now that I think of it, I think Bill Gawne is also a white Texan, at least by education, who recognizes the day. I've met a Black woman up here in New England whose ancestors were Texan slaves, who likes to celebrate it, or, at least, appreciates it when people wish her a happy Juneteenth.

And I don't do anything about it, but I am AWARE that today is Juneteenth.

So, I was just wondering how other people think about it. Whose holiday is it?

Comments

[wcg.livejournal.com]

I'm a white Texan by marriage, and later by living there for eight years and getting a few degrees from North Texas. In Denton, Juneteenth was always recognized as an important civic holiday. Like MLK's birthday, it was a day with a primarily African-American focus, but you didn't have to be black to take advantage of Juneteenth sales or specials at Dairy Queen.

I see this article on the front page of the Fort Worth Star Telegram's website today. Nothing comparable on the front page of the Dallas Morning News, but I wouldn't expect it.

[cakmpls.livejournal.com]

I think it SHOULD be everyone's holiday, to the extent that everyone knows about it and acknowledges it.

[metahacker.livejournal.com]

It’s America’s holiday. Observed by all, celebrated by those whose ancestors were slaves.

At least that’s hope I feel it should be.

[browngirl.livejournal.com]

That's an excellent way of putting it.

[sashajwolf.livejournal.com]

I like that too (although since I'm neither American nor black, my opinion doesn't really matter here.)

[ron_newman]

- that was meaningless until Lee surrendered

I've always understood the Emancipation Proclamation to be a declaration that when the Union army conquered Confederate territory, the slaves in that territory would be freed. This gave them an incentive to join the Union army.

[sarianna.livejournal.com]

I celebrate it anyway because it's my birthday, but I think it's an everyone holiday. :D

[squishydish.livejournal.com]

I think it's celebrated throughout the South now, primarily by blacks but also by allies and civic leaders. I don't know how much or if at all it's celebrated/observed beyond that area.

[metaphortunate.livejournal.com]

It's not a thing around here, but I remember neighborhood celebrations in Chicago. Which is where I heard of it; never heard a peep in Texas. But that was long ago.