EDITORIAL JUNETEENTH VS. JULY 4TH It’s important to note that the 13th slavery, but June 19th amendment abolished , 1865 is the date news of freedom arrived in Galveston making this day know as Juneteenth, June + nineteenth also known as Freedom Day. A day which was celebrated and is a reminder of the past, present, and future. There are many celebrations across the United States and now Juneteenth is a National Holiday. Dwana Bradley Editor in Chief As General Chairperson of Iowa Juneteenth I had the opportunity to speak to many businesses. I was able to share what Juneteenth meant to me and the importance of what I call my fourth of July. I was asked a question during one of my speaking sessions. The individual asked me do I celebrate Juneeteenth or the Fourth of July? I would like to provide some historical context on both celebrations. Juneteenth President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1st , 1865, and over two years later General Gordon Granger and Union soldiers made a trip to Galveston, Texas to share news to enslaved people the Civil War had ended, and they were free. I won’t share my answer with you, but I think it’s up to you to decide. When the United States celebrated Independence Day while celebrating the fact that they were no longer under British rule, slavery was happening, July 4th This is known as Independence Day and it is celebrated to recognize the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the United States becoming an independent nation. America’s 13 colonies were forced to pay taxes to England’s King George III and at that time had no representation in the British Parliament. The Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia and created a committee which drafted a document to sever ties with Great Britain. The draft was adopted on July 4, 1776. and Black people were living in a country that treated them as property and not human beings. Even though Juneteenth celebrations took place and enslaved people knew they were free, white people made sure Black people knew they weren’t free. It may say on a piece of paper Black people were free, but lynching’s, violent attacks, and the actions of white people made it perfectly clear to Black people that they didn’t belong here. Many were not accepting of our freedom. I’m not going to tell you which to celebrate I believe it’s personal preference. I suggest you educate yourself on each and decide what makes sense to you. Juneteenth provides me time to reflect and educate myself on the past, recognize where I’m at in this world presently and speak the vision of what I want the future to look like. Send me a message at contacdsmurban@gmail.com to share which holiday you celebrate and feel free to share why you celebrate the holiday. I look forward to hearing from you. Dwana B 5
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