Juneteenth - traditions?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Isn’t it specifically the day a group of slaves in texas learned about the emancipation proclamation? And that’s why it’s a bigger deal in Texas? But it grew to be celebrated in many places, including DC. A positive Texas contribution!

Yes, but not just "a group of slaves" - it's the day the last enslaved people in the US were freed. It's the actual end of slavery, as opposed to the date of the Proclamation.

Important to note that rhe Emancipation Proclamation did NOT end slavery. It only abolished slavery in the states that were *in rebellion* there were several states that remained in the Union-- including Maryland and west Virginia-- where slavery was still legal. It was abolished by state constitution in those states throughout the Civil War with many only outlawing towards the end of rhe war in 1865. In other words, only months before Juneteeth and years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

Rhe actual end of slavery then came months after Juneteenth with thr passing of the 13th Amendment.

That said, Juneteenth is a wonderful celebration and I hope to brinf my chikdren to some celebrations when such public things can be held.

The Emancipation Proclamation ended slavery in the South de jure. Other northern states followed during the Civil War. Juneteenth ended slavery de facto. The 13th Amendment codified the end of slavery in the US (outside of prisons).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is not a new thing, at least among black families and communities. I would wager that black people have always celebrated this milestone, but it became a state holiday in Texas. Please don't erase the significance the day has for black people all over the country by trying so hard to give credit to the state of Texas for creating it.

Nope. DH's family is black (and all highly educated) and he didn't know anything about it. It's becoming more common, but it was more regional years ago.

He's from the NW.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it's understandably a bigger deal in the south, since most northern slaves had criminalized slavery way earlier. It's the equivalent of Emancipation Day for the Confederate states.

It is gaining popularity all over the U.S. I guess you're not following the news related to Juneteenth...

Nike, Twitter and Square have made it a paid holiday for their employees within the last week. 47 states now recognize Juneteenth as a holiday.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/11/business/nike-juneteenth-holiday-trnd/index.html
https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/nation-world/twitter-makes-juneteenth-company-holiday/507-ba70222e-0ba0-4871-821e-9b0a00437870

Good. I actually hope they actually try to hire more black employees--notoriously few black workers in tech.

[Anonymous]

What does everyone cook? Any traditions ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is not a new thing, at least among black families and communities. I would wager that black people have always celebrated this milestone, but it became a state holiday in Texas. Please don't erase the significance the day has for black people all over the country by trying so hard to give credit to the state of Texas for creating it.

Nope. DH's family is black (and all highly educated) and he didn't know anything about it. It's becoming more common, but it was more regional years ago.

He's from the NW.

People, I never said all black people have ways celebrated this holiday. I merely noted that it has been celebrated by black people across the country, perhaps not in large numbers, and let's not bend over backwards trying to give the state of Texas credit for starting something they did not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it's understandably a bigger deal in the south, since most northern slaves had criminalized slavery way earlier. It's the equivalent of Emancipation Day for the Confederate states.

It is gaining popularity all over the U.S. I guess you're not following the news related to Juneteenth...

Nike, Twitter and Square have made it a paid holiday for their employees within the last week. 47 states now recognize Juneteenth as a holiday.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/11/business/nike-juneteenth-holiday-trnd/index.html
https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/nation-world/twitter-makes-juneteenth-company-holiday/507-ba70222e-0ba0-4871-821e-9b0a00437870

Sorry, I think that it's a great thing that it's catching on in the sense that it recognizes & celebrates the official end of slavery in the US. It would make sense for it to become a Federal holiday. All I meant is that it's not surprising that *previously* it wasn't as big a deal in non-Confederate states, since the day did not have the same legal meaning in those states. Like, of course, NY state would not have made that specific day a NY state holiday.