By: Kenneth L. Hardin
Now that the dust has settled somewhat on the nonsense surrounding Trump’s obsession with erasing all things Black, let’s discuss the newly accepted Juneteenth holiday by mainstream America. I’m not criticizing anyone who’s planning a cookout or looking forward to attending a festival or a parade to acknowledge this sad moment in America’s history. I agree with how comedian D.L. Hughley summed up the day, “America is the only Country where you ask for justice and get a holiday.” I’m all for recognizing Juneteenth, but I stop at celebrating it. So, now we’re supposed to be gleeful and ecstatic that our ancestors were given free-ish-like freedom after being brutalized, held in bondage, denied basic human rights and forced to perform duties like farm animals for centuries? Should I be grateful that a modicum of reluctant humanity was shown by people who should’ve never put another human being in that position to begin with?
It reminds me of all the ridiculous hoopla over celebrating the first person of color accomplishing something noteworthy. Doesn’t that just acknowledge this country still engages in discriminatory behavior and practices that deny equal access and opportunity? Why are we happy, claiming victory and pretending this is progress when one person succeeds despite enormous odds and obstacles? I’ll celebrate when it’s no longer necessary to be happy about just one.
We commercialized and ruined this important day with feel good celebrations but did nothing to create an understanding of why it is significant. Every news program from local coverage to the national spotlight acts so giddy with excitement to report on the day, it borders on insincerity and pandering. I wonder if the same celebratory spirit would be as well received if the focus was centered around the horrors of the Holocaust, The Trail of Tears or the Japanese Internment Camps? I would much rather see coverage of the educational seminars and focus group panel discussions about the generational psychological and economic impact Slavery has had rather than watching people gorging on hotdogs, cotton candy and downing Rum while sitting around smoke filled grilling areas. We should place more emphasis on the passage of the 13th Amendment as it has more adult teeth than the baby denticles of the present celebration. Although the 13th Amendment to The U.S. Constitution abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, there were loopholes that made our ancestors free-ish instead of truly free.
Abraham Lincoln wasn’t the hero savior of all things dark in skin hue. He only cared about saving the Union rather than freeing Black people. Just more lies my elementary through high school teachers told me. I’ve read comments from angry and uninformed Whites asking when they would get their holiday. I’ll be happy to swap you the murderous slave trader Columbus we were forced to believe actually discovered this land. Another complaint is that Americans shouldn’t have to choose between celebrating Juneteenth and Independence Day. People have to choose between groceries and medications each month, so holiday loyalty should be easier.
Since that free-ish moment back in Texas, from 1865-1877, during the Reconstruction period, 2,000 free-ish Blacks were lynched. In 2025, we’re experiencing a milder form of lynching with our rights, history and heritage being stripped away by the orange menace. So, I’m giving everyone fair warning, if there is one Juneteenth car, mattress or clothing sale, or if I see a Juneteenth KFC chicken wing special, I will be the top story on the national news the next day.
Kenneth L. Hardin lives in N.C. and is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists.
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