A Happier Juneteenth

On this very special day of Juneteenth, 2024, we remember the sacrifices Black people have made and continue to make in our effort for freedom and equality. Although this nation celebrates its freedom as July 4, 1776, we celebrate ours as June 19, 1865, the day enslaved people in Texas were finally notified of their freedom two months after the North eviscerated the South in the Civil War.

It’s important to point out the Civil War was not about slavery; it was about Southern slavers not wanting to pay a higher tax on their forced labor. It is vital to remember none of what this country did in the course of ending slavery was intentionally or solely for the benefit of African Americans. If that were the case, the freed peoples wouldn’t have been robbed of their reparations — including land — by the government to give to and appease former slavers.

Moreover, racism remains a crippling issue for African Americans, and systemic racism exists. In response to the 1619 Projects, Conservatives have come up with Project 2025, a plan to replace government officials with their own recruits who will do their bidding. This bidding includes further robbing African Americans of the freedoms they’ve fought to gain and exercising complete control over the female body. These far-Right conspiracy theorists believe in The Great Replacement Theory and are actively working to whiten up America to Antebellum days.

That acknowledged, we have a civil responsibility to vote and make sure our freedoms not only remain intact but are expanded.

— by Professor J. Reed