At least 30 states and District of Columbia officially observe Juneteenth as a public holiday
Juneteenth marks the announcement of the end of slavery in the United States
Juneteeth serves as a reminder of ongoing struggle for racial justice and equality in America
Union soldiers had to enforce emancipation order in Texas after June 19, 1865
Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19, is a significant day in American history marking the announcement of the end of slavery in the United States. However, not all states recognize this federal holiday. Ten southern states still honor Confederate holidays instead. According to Axios and Pew Research Center, at least 30 states and the District of Columbia officially observe Juneteenth as a public holiday.
One of the most notable figures in the fight for Juneteenth's recognition was Opal Lee, a Fort Worth native and activist whose family home was burned down by a white mob in 1939. She worked tirelessly to see it become a federal holiday.
Despite its significance, Juneteenth did not actually end slavery in Texas on June 19, 1865. Union soldiers had to march across the state to enforce the emancipation order and free enslaved Black people. Some enslavers hid the news from their slaves or even killed them rather than granting their freedom.
The holiday has faced controversy regarding its origins and purpose, with some arguing it is not just a Black or Texas thing but an American thing. The financial services industry is one exception where Black Americans are represented proportionately and most employers provide paid time off for Juneteenth.
Juneteenth's significance extends beyond the recognition of the end of slavery. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial justice and equality in America, as evidenced by protests against police brutality towards Black Americans in recent years.
The following sources were used to write this article:
The Guardian: 'As Juneteenth grows in US, southern states cling to Confederate holidays'
NPR: 'Juneteenth isn't just a Black holiday. It's for all Americans'
The Washington Post: 'Why Juneteenth didn't actually end slavery in Texas'
Opal Lee, a Fort Worth native and activist, worked hard to see Juneteenth become a federal holiday after her family home was burned down by a white mob in 1939
Juneteenth is not just a Texas or Black thing but an American thing
Accuracy
Juneteenth commemorates the day federal troops arrived to enforce The Emancipation Proclamation in Texas
Juneteenth celebrates the end of chattel slavery and the beginning of true freedom for all
Union soldiers had to march across Texas to enforce the emancipation order and free enslaved Black people
Many enslavers hid the news from their slaves and continued to force them to labor.
Slavery did not end in Texas on June 19, 1865. It continued in other forms and by other names.
Union soldiers had to march across Texas to enforce the emancipation order and free enslaved Black people.
Some enslavers killed their slaves rather than allow them their freedom.
Accuracy
Slavery formally ended in the United States on Dec. 6, 1865, but an exception clause allowed slavery to continue in another form.
Despite Granger’s order, some enslavers fled with their slaves to countries where slavery had not been outlawed.
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(85%)
The article provides a detailed account of the historical events surrounding Juneteenth and the misconceptions surrounding it. However, it does contain a few instances of inflammatory rhetoric and appeals to authority. Specifically:
Enslavers across the state resisted the general’s order, hiding the news from enslaved Black people.
Bias
(95%)
The author provides a factual account of the history of Juneteenth and the delayed implementation of emancipation in Texas. However, she also includes quotes from historians that express resentment and violence towards African Americans after emancipation. These quotes could be perceived as depicting African Americans as extreme or unreasonable, creating a subtle bias against them.
It took almost over a year for the Union Army to literally go across the state and free African Americans from slavery.
They killed as many as 2,500. They were just murdered outright across the state.
Union commander decreed that freedmen would not be supported if they left their former oppressor’s land
Financial service industry is an exception where Black Americans are represented proportionately and where most employers provide paid time off for Juneteenth
Accuracy
Juneteenth was declared a federal holiday by President Joe Biden in 2021
Juneteenth gained national awareness after being featured on the ABC sitcom ‘black-ish’ in 2017
Deception
(35%)
The article acknowledges the historical significance of Juneteenth and its transformation into a federal holiday. However, it implies that the holiday may not be living up to its potential in terms of promoting genuine progress towards racial justice. The author expresses discomfort with how few faces like theirs they see on the day meant for celebrating Black Americans' freedom. They also highlight the corporate enthusiasm for Juneteenth and suggest that some companies may be misusing the holiday as a way to appear socially conscious without actually committing to meaningful change.
It's Juneteenth 2022 and I am uncomfortable on a New York City beach...], [
Fallacies
(80%)
The author uses an appeal to emotion when expressing her discomfort and questioning the purpose of Juneteenth. She also makes a hasty generalization about the distribution of benefits from the holiday among Black households.
>It's Juneteenth 2022 and I am uncomfortable on a New York City beach.<br>When President Joe Biden signed a bill declaring Juneteenth a federal holiday in 2021, it was one of the few tangible changes that was put into place after a wave of protests for racial justice that had rocked the country the previous year.<br>But it's seeming more and more like this was a gilded token.<br>Even the corporate enthusiasm for the holiday seems to be waning.
I am uncomfortable on a New York City beach. <br>It's one of the few tangible changes that was put into place after a wave of protests for racial justice that had rocked the country the previous year. <br>But it's seeming more and more like this was a gilded token.
Bias
(15%)
The author expresses discomfort and disappointment that the Juneteenth holiday does not seem to be benefiting Black Americans equally. They criticize corporations for only providing paid time off for the holiday to some employees and note that a significant portion of Black households earn less than $25,000 per year, which puts them in a position where they may not be able to take advantage of the day off. The author also mentions that Juneteenth is becoming 'the latest holiday conceived to inspire reverence, only to be dulled and deadened' and calls for more than just acknowledgment of Black Americans' history.
But it’s seeming more and more like this was a gilded token. Hopes of federal police reform were dashed when Republicans realized they could hammer Democrats for being in favor of ‘defunding the police.’ Support for Black Lives Matter has plummeted since 2020, with only a narrow majority backing the movement compared to the two-thirds support that was once there.
Even the corporate enthusiasm for the holiday seems to be waning. As historian and MSNBC contributor Keisha N. Blain noted in 2021, numerous major corporations were tripping over themselves to honor the holiday’s roots while looking to potentially turning a profit.
The answer to the discomfort that I felt two years ago, which is still with me today, is to press for more than a swiftly fading acknowledgment of Black Americans’ history. One day off for some is paltry and cruel when compared with the oppression and discrimination borne by so many.
Ten states in the American south have at least one day commemorating the Confederacy
Six former Confederate states do not officially recognize Juneteenth: Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, South Carolina and North Carolina
In both Mississippi and Alabama, Robert E Lee Day is also used to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr Day
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Bias
(95%)
The author demonstrates a clear bias against Confederate holidays and the states that continue to recognize them. She uses language such as 'clinging to', 'paid holidays for state employees', and 'blatant disregard of the humanity of Black Alabamians' to depict those who support these holidays in a negative light.
DaMareo Cooper, co-executive director of the Center for Popular Democracy, told Axios: ‘There’s no way that you can compare someone who literally fought for the highest ideals of human beings ... to someone who was like: ‘I think these humans are checkbooks, they are cow, they’re like animals.’
Ten states – all in the American south – have at least one day commemorating the Confederacy, according to Axios, and six former Confederate states do not officially recognize Juneteenth:
The continued recognition of holidays that honor the Confederacy speaks to the blatant disregard of the humanity of Black Alabamians.
