Volume 3 - No.3
By Darwin Campbell, Executive Publisher
June 19, 2008
NATION -- The history of a people should not be hidden and cannot be denied.
The Jewish race constantly reminds humanity of its heritage from bondage in Egypt and Persia to the terrible Holocaust inflicted upon them by Adolf Hitler and the Nazis.
African Americans have a parallel history filled with slavery, bondage. lynching, torture by the hands of slave masters and racism that fueled generations of segregation.
Recognizing the fight for Civil Rights, triumphs and celebration of freedom can best be reflected and remembered through a Juneteenth National Holiday.
It not only immortalizes those moments and sacrifices, but also would cause Americans of every race and creed to face the truth and focus on that past head on without argument and denial.
Dubbed the second Independance Day, Juneteenth, or the "19th of June", recognizes June 19, 1865, in Galveston, TX, when Union General Gordon Granger announced freedom for all slaves in the Southwest. This was the last major vestige of slavery in the United States following the end of the Civil War. This occurred more than two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln. Upon the reading of General Order #3 by General Granger, the former slaves celebrated jubilantly, establishing America's second Independence Day Celebration and the oldest African-American holiday observance.
Supporters of a national holiday are urging African-Americans and others to stand up and be counted on this issue by making their voices know and demanding the truth be told and the veil be lifted that has shrouded Black history for decades.
"The official recognition of Juneteenth Independence Day and the end of enslavement by state governments and congress are very significant steps in bringing healing to America from the legacy of enslavement," said Rev., Dr. Ronald V. Myer Sr., chairman of the National Juneteenth Holiday Campaign and chair of the National Juneteenth Christian Leadership Council (NJCLC). "As the descendents of Americans of African descent, our ancestors were brought to America in chains. This should never be forgotten."
With bills in the House and Senate, the measure has stalled falling short of complete full support of President George W. Bush.
President Bush is the former Governor of Texas, where Juneteenth has been observed as a paid state holiday since 1980
Myers said given that history, knowledge and importance of the holiday to African-Americans, it remains a mystery why the president won't personally recognize and honor the sacrifices and contributions of many Blacks in building key institutions in America during Juneteenth.
According to Myers, the bill was introduced twice, the last time on Juneteenth Independence Day, the "19th of June", 2000 by former Congressman Tony Hall (D-OH). During that time Blacks never did get an apology for slavery passed by Congress demonstrating the need for America to be healed from the legacy of enslavement.
"The US Capitol and the White House were built through the uncompensated labor of the ancestors of Americans of African descent during the tyranny of enslavement," Myer said. " "With the urging of Congress through the unanimous passage of H. Con. Res. 231 by the House of Representatives and the unanimous passage of S. Res. 516 by the U.S. Senate, we are hopeful that President Bush will finally issue a Juneteenth Independence Day Proclamation."
Juneteenth is now recognized as a state holiday or state holiday observance in Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Delaware, Idaho, Alaska, Iowa, California, Wyoming, Missouri, Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, Colorado, Arkansas, Oregon, Kentucky, Michigan, New Mexico, Virginia, Washington, Tennessee, Massachusetts, North Carolina, West Virginia, South Carolina and Vermont. In 2003, the District of Columbia passed legislation to recognize Juneteenth as a district holiday observance. Many more states, including Utah, Alabama, South Dakota, Pennsylvania, Montana, Wisconsin and Maryland have recognized Juneteenth through annual state legislative resolutions, Gubernatorial Proclamations and current state holiday observance legislation.
"We are also truly appreciative of the leadership Congressman Danny K. Davis (D-IL) has provided Juneteenth supporters through legislative efforts in Congress," he said.
African-Americans and other patriots for truth and justice must now step in, stand up and demand recognition now calling for Juneteenth holiday in America.
This can be done by sending written citizen petitions to Congress and the President. Your opinion (vote) does count. It is legitimizing Black history and the contributions of the ancestors on another level and making sure that those important sacrifices are preserved and respected to generations to come.
A Juneteenth Independence Day can bring all Americans together with the goal of promoting greater understanding and racial healing.
With your help and strong response, supporters are hopeful that the "19th of June" will finally be established as a legal national holiday observance in America.
