Juneteenth represents true freedom and the optimism that better days are to come in our future.
Juneteenth is important to me for several reasons. Enslaved people longed for freedom all their lives, and some would never have fathomed being able to exercise basic human rights. Juneteenth represents true freedom and the optimism that better days are to come in our future. It is a time to not only celebrate with family and friends but to also remember how far we have come as a people. As a product of two African parents, I realize through living in America that my life struggles are very similar to those of African Americans’. We share the same financial, educational, and social-economic struggles, but when we have a holiday such as Juneteenth, it reminds me of our daily fight for civil rights. This helps remind me of the fact that we are moving closer to being a better American society.
Today, there are only 47 states that recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday, with a push for the day to become a Federal Holiday. In my opinion, the difference between the Fourth of July and Juneteenth is that Independence Day is the recognition for freedom of White Americans from British rule in the United States. Juneteenth should be recognized as a Federal Holiday, signifying true freedom for ALL Americans in the United States.
Addendum: The Senate unanimously passed a resolution on June 15, 2021, establishing June 19 as Juneteenth National Independence Day, a U.S. holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. The House moved quickly Wednesday, June 16th, to pass the bill, and President Biden will sign the bill in the East Room on Thursday, June 17th.