Hello, beautiful people! I’m Q’Zion, and welcome or welcome back to my blog! ♡

As you all know, there are a bunch of holidays that many of us celebrate each year; Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, Valentine’s, and New Year’s are just a few examples. And while those are all great, there is one holiday in particular that was recently made a national holiday due to a bill signed by Joe Biden, coming into effect on June of 2021. That holiday is Juneteenth. And today, I’m going to tell you all what it’s all about.

What is Juneteenth?

In short, Juneteenth–a combination of the words “June” and “nineteenth”–is a holiday celebrating the freedom of the last African slaves in the United States on June 19, 1865, over two years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Not only is it a mark of the end of slavery within our country, but also the freedom of African-Americans. This year, it just so happens to be shared with Father’s Day, which falls on the third Sunday of June.

Why should we celebrate it?

Even though Juneteenth is considered a national holiday, most Americans know little to nothing about it. This percentage includes some African-Americans, like myself. I believe Juneteenth is a holiday that should be observed and celebrated by American citizens of all nationalities and ethnic identities. Here are some reasons why.

1. We need to learn the good and bads of our nation’s history

While slavery was an unfourtunate element of the history of the United States, it is important that we know about what slaves went through before they were freed, their struggle to gain all of their natural rights, and the people who helped make African-American freedom a reality.

2. To help fight for equality

While Black Americans are now free from slavery, we are still constant victims of police brutality, discrimination due to the color of our skin or the way we dress our hair, higher chance of imprisonment, and higher employment rates. Our world has come a long way from its past, but racism is still a reality among some. Juneteenth gives us a chance to fight for equality for ALL human beings.

3. The freedom of slaves affects every American

As soon as the last African-American slaves were freed, it was a step forward to a more understanding, anti-racist, and fair country and world. Even after they gained their freedom, our black ancestors still struggled to gain all of their legal rights as American citizens. And many of us still struggle in today’s world. But with every peaceful protest, campaign, and usage of other personal platforms to spread awareness about Juneteenth, we can all work together to make our nation better than what it was decades ago.

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Hopefully, this helped you all understand what Juneteenth is, as well as its importance. While the world isn’t perfect, we are making progress. And Juneteenth is a reminder that when we work together– in faith, perseverance, and love–there is no goal that our nation can’t achieve.

LET’S CHAT~Had you ever heard of Juneteenth before you read this post? If so, did you learn anything new about it today?

Thank you so much for joining me! I’ll see you next time! ♡