Juneteenth: A Holiday, Finally!
Well, one might say hell hath frozen over.
Democrats and Republicans, in both chambers of Congress, agree that Juneteenth should be a federal holiday. The Senate unanimously approved the bill, and the House approved it 415–14 yesterday. President Biden signed it into law today.
In case you need a primer about Juneteenth, head over to my post from last June.
I’m glad to see such unity on what shouldn’t be a partisan issue. Race has always been a divisive issue in America-more so in recent years, it seems-and we need to come together as a country to attack our racial problems, one bill, gesture or action at a time.
Still, there are legitimate concerns about making Juneteenth the 12th federal holiday.
As comic and TV host W. Kamau Bell said on Twitter,
“If dismantling white supremacy & ending racism was buying a new car, then a Juneteenth holiday is those weird lights underneath the car that turn on at night when you lock the door. I mean, I’ll take it but that’s not what I’m here for. That’s not what I need.”
By no means does making Juneteenth a federal holiday solve racism. It is, as Mr. Bell said, the car lights that turn on at night. It’s a start to begin fixing the real problems. Anyone who believes the struggle is over either seriously doesn’t get it or is using Juneteenth for their own ends.
Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) offered some counter-arguments:
“Last year, a bill was introduced to celebrate Juneteenth by providing an additional paid holiday for 2 million federal employees at a cost of $600 million per year. They attempted to pass the bill without debate or amendment process. Although I strongly support celebrating Emancipation, I objected to the cost and lack of debate. While it seems strange that having taxpayers provide federal employees paid time off is now required to celebrate the end of slavery, it is clear that there is no appetite in Congress to further discuss the matter. Therefore, I do not intend to object.”
I commend the Senator for commenting without slowing down the process. Now isn’t the time to engage into a debate about the merits of the proposal. However, I didn’t find other media sources such as CNN provide the holiday’s cost and the lack of debate, both significant points. The U.S. doesn’t have money to throw around considering its deficit and a lack of debate for justifiable causes can quickly lead to a lack of debate for unjustifiable ones cloaked in justice.
It’s worth remembering that it took 15 years to MLK Day to become a federal holiday, and even longer after that to be celebrated around the country. Congressman John Conyers (D-MI) worked the system year after year. It took the involvement of legendary musician Stevie Wonder and millions of signatures because opposition from politicians such as Jesse Helms (R-NC) was so great.
What does the fact that there was so much opposition tell you?
Holidays have power, far beyond the 24 hours of their main celebration. They inspire others to push the mantle further and fight against lies that have gained a stranglehold on the truth. I can’t think of many issues which need activism and truth more than racism.
Almost forty years later, imagine MLK Day being taken away. It would feel wrong and a step backward. Not only does it shed much needed light on the civil rights movement and one of its chief leaders, it also inspires volunteerism around the country. I have participated in college and beyond, working at food banks and getting to know my local communities better.
Seeing as Juneteenth becoming a federal holiday happened within a couple of years is encouraging-it commemorates a more divisive, transformative milestone, which never would have been possible without MLK day first and the subsequent civil rights efforts as well as racial tragedies afterward.
Sure, making more federal holidays will not cure racism or its related issues. To suggest otherwise is irresponsible and reprehensible. Yet, they are small pushes which move the door of justice a crack forward.
With enough pushes, it will swing wide open.
Agreed?