Juneteenth is now a Federal Holiday

[lavaflow99]

Great news today! But still lots of work to do. Many are saying that this move is just performative with all those Jim Crow 2.0 bills out there.

I am originally from Texas and known about Juneteenth as a kid as it was taught in schools. I had assumed it was a Texas holiday based on its foundation so didn't realize it was celebrated across the country.

Congress approves bill to make Juneteenth a federal holiday

The United States will soon have a new federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery. The House voted 415-14 Wednesday to make Juneteenth, or June 19th, the 12th federal holiday.

apnews.com

 

[Ivonnovi]

I learned about Juneteenth as a young adult in the 90's, from a Texan.

Where I have no problem with Blacks celebrating their independence. I have my reservations about the celebration's narrative focusing more on this as an achievement for Blacks, than focusing on how this is an achievement for the consciousness of Whites (texan slave owning whites); but don't mind me I also don't care for the "Jumping the Broom" in wedding ceremonies.

There are some unsettling truths attached to the State taking 2 years to declare it's enslaved population free.

But don't mind me. I told this same thing to a YT lady that asked me would I be participating in any event's for Juneteenth.

 

[nyeredzi]

I learned about vaguely as a child, but not in school, I don't think. From family. I've never actually celebrated it, maybe just acknowledged it.

 

[Rastafarai]

Learned about it in college when I had joined one of the Black affinity groups on campus.

Very happy to hear about this, but my emails have been popping off at work. I'm in the finance industry and they're ensuring that folks know that bond and equity markets will remain open for business and we best be available for our clients.

Same ish, different day is how most of "them" view this holiday.

 

[lavaflow99]

I updated the poll to include "another time in the past" when one learned about Juneteenth.

 

[SoniT]

I learned about Juneteenth in college.

 

[Black Ambrosia]

Idk where I learned it but it seems like I’ve known it forever. Definitely knew as a kid.

 

[awhyley]

I may have heard about it here and there, but most of what I learned about it came from here a few years ago.

Learned about it in college when I had joined one of the Black affinity groups on campus.

Very happy to hear about this, but my emails have been popping off at work. I'm in the finance industry and they're ensuring that folks know that bond and equity markets will remain open for business and we best be available for our clients.

Same ish, different day is how most of "them" view this holiday.

Doesn't everything close for a federal holiday?

 

[TrulyBlessed]

 

[Lylddlebit]

I learned about it as a kid. My church was big on teaching the youth black history.

 

[melisandre]

I’m pretty sure I learned about it several years ago on this forum. Lol.

 

[Peppermynt]

I didn’t learn about it in school (grew up in west philly) and only became aware of it after watching a movie. I think it was the Tupac Janet Jackson movie. I forget the name (or even if that’s the right movie).

I hope our company makes it a paid holiday. They just this year made MLK day an official holiday (you could always take it off yourself as one of those “personal days” that you still got paid for). Our black networking group at work had a Juneteenth “event” as well - we had an hour long discussion over Zoom with Nikki Giovanni today.

 

[Everything Zen]

I learned about it probably around the Obama years as many other aspects of our history came to light.

 

[nysister]

That's awesome. I admit, I just found out about it around 10 years ago, and I think it was from LHCF.

 

[awhyley]

Can someone clarify?

 

[OhTall1]

I learned about it about 20 years ago, in my 20s. A community was having a Juneteenth celebration and I looked it up because I'd never heard of it before.

 

[sunshinebeautiful]

I believe I was in college when I first learned of Juneteenth. In fact, I'm pretty sure it was in my African American History class. We didn't grow up celebrating it where I grew up (North Florida).

 

[classychic1908]

I've known about Juneteenth since college, so 20 years or so. In my extended family we've been celebrating it by honoring our cultural roots and ancestors, not about freedom.

 

[TrulyBlessed]

 

[Rastafarai]

Exactly.

Is anyone actually off today? Just curious.

 

[naturalgyrl5199]

I'm fine with it. Now they lil' kids know. They are forced to recognize the significance of the day.


OTOH.... really wanted Voting Rights.

 

[naturalgyrl5199]

Exactly.

Is anyone actually off today? Just curious.

My husband took today off. No one questioned it.

 

[fluffyforever]

Exactly.

Is anyone actually off today? Just curious.

My mom works for the county and they have today off.

 

[TrulyBlessed]

 

[lavaflow99]

View attachment 473025

How does one even respond to this?

 

[weaveadiva]

 

[OhTall1]

Is anyone actually off today? Just curious.

I was off but my employer had already dropped Presidents Day this year for Juneteenth as a paid day off, so it wasn't an extra holiday.

 

[Everything Zen]

My company gave Juneteenth off last year as a floating holiday. In other words #alllivesmatter.
The new CEO made a much better statement about equity diversity and inclusion needed in the organization but as a white man with zero black peoples on his board or leadership he just needs to

I just got promoted 3 months ago and I have been performing like my usual rock star self. I’m applying for a Director level position that was just posted that I’m more than qualified for. They do it all the time.

 

[TrulyBlessed]

 

[yamilee21]

I knew this would happen… I assume DeSantis in Florida and Noem in South Dakota will immediately follow. Might be a little trickier for Abbott in Texas, but I’m sure he will find a way.