The Internet Gets Honest About Juneteenth Becoming A Federal Holiday

By Brooklyn White ·June 16, 2021June 16, 2021

On June 15, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution stating Juneteenth would become a federal holiday. Social media users have had a lot to say about this moment.

The holiday, celebrated on June 19, marks the ending of slavery in Texas, which was the final state to adhere to its illegality in 1885. In order to have the holiday become law, it needs to pass the House and be signed into law by President Biden. It is honored as a state holiday in Texas and has been since 1980.

Since yesterday’s announcement, critiques and questions have poured, with many wondering if the holiday will be paid, who has a right to celebrate/what those celebrations will look like and if this is merely a weightless, symbolic milestone. With urges for reparations mounting and Florida’s banning of critical race theory, people are asking themselves if this move is simply meant to pacify.

“Imagine making Juneteenth a federal holiday when laws are being enacted all over the country that will prevent people from being taught why it’s a holiday,” wrote journalist Monique Judge on Twitter.

Imagine making Juneteenth a federal holiday when laws are being enacted all over the country that will prevent people from being taught why it's a holiday.

— Titty Roux (@thejournalista) June 16, 2021

Mainstream interest in Juneteenth was reinitiated last year, following the protests of the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade and the countless others who were killed by police officers or white supremacists.

Tevon Blair clarified his disdain, saying that he was not upset about the holiday being acknowledged by the federal government, but rather other the fact that the Black community will continue to struggle to have basic needs honored. “I just want to see generational change,” he wrote.

I am not upset about Juneteenth becoming a federal holiday. I am frustrated knowing the day will be celebrated by all ppl while the basic needs of African Americans will continue to be ignored: access to healthcare, voting, education, etc. I just want to see generational change.

— Tevon A. Blair, M.A. (@TevonBlair) June 16, 2021

Other users brought up the fact that there has been no movement on making lynching a federal hate crime.

I’m totally in support of Congress making Juneteenth a federal holiday, but I find it hilarious how they can vote on that so quickly but have not come to a consensus on a lynching bill or voter protection bill. Window dressing and bells and whistles are always the the go-to.

— kevikev (@KevCoke6) June 16, 2021

So the senate passed the bill to make Juneteenth a federal holiday but they still haven’t made lynching a federal hate crime? Got it.

— Eunique’s Playing #CultureTags (@eunique) June 15, 2021

Read more public responses to the news update below.

Juneteenth becoming a federal holiday is a huge win and milestone, but we can’t stop here. I continue to encourage all companies and corporations to recognize and observe Juneteenth as a paid holiday.Sign the #JUNETEENTHPLEDGE: https://t.co/bHll9tTCZa

— Pharrell Williams (@Pharrell) June 16, 2021

This Juneteenth becoming a federal holiday is PEAK “What I Asked For vs. What I Got”.

— Candice Marie Benbow (@CandiceBenbow) June 16, 2021

You can keep fighting for substantive changeand not feel appeased by the Juneteenth holiday but you should also understand that Black people have been advocating for this holiday for decades. https://t.co/QlcvAmCTTW

— Angel L. Lewis (@angellewisesq) June 16, 2021

My thoughts on Juneteenth becoming a federal holiday?? It’s cool and all, but as Malcolm X said, “the white man will try to satisfy us with symbolic victories rather than economic equity and real justice”.

— Ultra, Black