For those of you who don’t know, Juneteenth, marks the day when U.S. troops arrived in Galveston TX in 1865 to ensure that all enslaved people be freed by taking control of the state. The troops’ arrival came a full two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed on January 1, 1863. Juneteenth honors the end to slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday.
However, most people have never heard of it.
Why?
Because it hasn’t been a part of the national narrative.
Why?
Because it wasn’t important enough to be a part of our nation’s story. Our history. So, that means no recognition in the history books, no days off work, no fireworks.
Why?
Because if the freedom of those who were slaves was important as the freedom of the colonists from their ‘oppressors’ it would have been a part of our history, celebrated by all races and not just those of African descent.
On July 4th, 1776, Black people in America had no independence. It wasn’t for them. Those inalienable rights were written into the Constitution by hands that also signed bills of sale for slaves. Can you imagine slaves overhearing their oppressors celebrating their ‘freedom’ from their oppressors?
So, when the end of slavery was officially enforced on June 19, 1865, it should have been celebrated by everyone who considered themselves to be a child of God, because as the Constitution states, those inalienable rights were granted by the Creator, The Lord God of Israel from Eternity Past to Eternity Future, through His Son, the Lamb of God Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ).
Happy Juneteenth America! Let the fireworks begin!
Galatians 3:28 (NKJV)
28 There is neither Jewnor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 8:31-32(NKJV)
31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If youabide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.32 And you shall know thetruth, andthe truth shall make you free.”
Acts 11:26(NKJV)
26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.