Juneteenth 2017

Traces of Texas
35 mins ·
Traces of Texas reader Mike Smith kindly sent in this nifty late 1980s photo of the Juneteenth parade in Brenham, Texas. Says Mike: "I recently found this photo of the Juneteenth parade in Brenham in the late 1980s (I think 1987). (Note the little drill team member high-stepping on the far right.) Aside from its historical significance, Juneteenth was a huge family reunion event for many. My relatives of all ages would return from California and elsewhere for the hot June weekend in Washington County. Class reunions were planned around that time and the Washington County Fairgrounds always had a big after-parade event. Brenham's parade likely was one of the biggest around, sometimes drawing college bands. My grandparents used to get me and my brother to ride their church's float. My uncles always rode horses in the parade. Those were some of my most fun memories as a child. (OH was it always SO hot!) Brenham's parade discontinued for several years in the 90s but now has resumed."

On the date now known as Juneteenth, the Emancipation Proclamation was read from this building:

My thread languished, but not the cause. HAPPY JUNETEENTH THE HOLIDAY.

Making it a holiday should have gone in conjunction with altering the constitution to make slavery totally illegal. The very least.

I believe the majority of Americans want racial justice, but that many are not sure what it entails. There is momentum for change if only the politicians could be moved to help out.

I say this with some trepidation but I'm not that thrilled with making this observance a federal holiday. In practice, other than federal employees, most people will still be expected go to work. How long before the Juneteenth sales promotions start? I think we have too many national "holidays" that aren't holidays at all. And the fact that Republicans voted for the holiday overwhelmingly makes it look like a fig leaf to me. "What, us — racists? Hell, we voted for Juneteenth what are you talking about?" I'm glad the day has gotten recognition — it'd be a great topic in the classroom. If the kids are even in school that day.

I was not pushing for a holiday when I did at least a couple of Juneteenth threads in past years. Just meant to push black awareness for those who may not know or care. A fragment of an overall push to end white supremacy.

Yup. I think there'll be some major revisions of USAmerican history as the remnants of the white power structure fracture and fade.