* The Untold Factual Truth Behind Juneteenth *

Greetings and blessings! Time changes but history remains the same! Unfortunately, too many know too little or anything about Juneteenth history, neither did I. So once again, I graciously use this platform to bring awareness and most importantly, to educate. Stay with me! Juneteenth, a blend of words, “June” and “nineteenth” 1865 celebrates the end of enslavement in Texas. Juneteenth is also known as America’s 2nd Independence Day, Emancipation Day, Jubilee Day, Freedom Day, Juneteenth Independence Day and Black Independence Day. But regardless to whatever day, it literally was a good historical day and event that put Negroes/Blacks in a better place. Of course, a place where we can now be inclusive and strive to make a profound and genuine difference in society and others’ lives. Ultimately, Juneteenth honors enslaved people. In fact, Juneteenth all across the United States and beyond will hold numerous celebrations that commemorate this historical event of 1865 in Galveston, Texas. Yes, on June 19th when General Granger with armed troops, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation (liberation/process of freeing) read aloud General Order N0. 3 that all enslaved people, more than 250,000 of Texas was now free, praise God! Hallelujah! Honoring Juneteenth means telling the hidden truth about what was denied, what was taken and what still hasn’t been repaired. The real true story behind Juneteenth reveals the long delay in Black freedom, the rise of grassroots celebration and the decades long fight to make it a national holiday. Yep, one that now President Trump would love to and probably will try to take away.
More so, on June 17, 2021, President Biden after relentless battles, signed the Juneteenth National Independence Act, which officially made Juneteenth a federal holiday. In fact, this particular holiday is the first holiday to be approved since President Ronald Reagan signed a 1983 bill that approved Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a federal holiday. However, I strongly encourage us to explore, embrace this stunning history of Juneteenth and be encouraged by the many celebrations. So then, don’t just exist, thrive; learn and know our history, it’s so absolutely important and powerful. You see, we will never appreciate our freedom as we should until we know the magnitude of slavery. However, slaves saw death as better alternative (freedom) than slavery. And for the deep love they had for their children, they preferred killing their own than to allow them the dehumanizing (mistreatment) institution of slavery. Sadly, one escaped slave mother; Margaret Garner was caught but unimaginably killed her daughter rather than let her be returned back to slavery. “It is for freedom [to enjoy] that Christ has set us free…” (Galatians 5:1). “I am free, praise the Lord! Hallelujah, I’m free!” Now then, let’s commemorate; celebrate but educate and appreciate! Thank You Lord!