When the winners write the history books, we're all at a loss.
History, as we know it, is inherently biased. Though not necessarily inaccurate, and certainly not fictional, a winner's perspective on the times is generally devoid of total objectivity. This neither suggests that the heritage America celebrates is misleading, nor is that opinion a construct of skepticism. The underlying concept of revisionist history simply suggests that it would be illogical to limit American history to what is printed in abbreviated textbooks.
Accordingly, this method of historical investigation produces interesting contradictions. We know Thomas Jefferson penned the most famous document of independence in history, but we've also learned that Jefferson was a wealthy slave owner. It's discoveries such as this that encourage investigation of historical context and truth.
It's our belief that it's our duty as Americans to examine our history so we might learn more. Therefore, we believe that Juneteenth, a celebration of the emancipation of slavery, needs to be recognized by legislators as an official state holiday.
On June 19, 1865, the remaining slaves in Galveston, Texas, were informed of their freedom. More than two years before that date, President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation - another great document of independence - declared slavery abolished in the United States of America. As a Civil War raged throughout the South, it's widely believed that it took until June 19, 1865, for the last slave in American history to be informed of their freedom.
Jefferson's Declaration of Independence, ratified on July 4, 1776, is said to have freed Americans from the yoke of British rule. On that date, however, not all in America celebrated their freedom, and would not celebrate their freedom until 1865. America celebrates its independence on July 4, but not all Americans can say they do the same. For this, African American Emancipation Day, Juneteenth, is a holiday well-deserving of official recognition.
We recognize a variety of holidays that are celebrations of the relatively mundane. Columbus Day in October celebrates the mistaken discovery of North America, yet we know that Columbus was not the first to discover these lands, and certainly not the first to inhabit them. We close the banks and post offices in remembrance of this great historical figure.
President's Day in February does likewise, so that we may embrace the triumphs and tragedies of the Oval Office, and also close banks and post offices. Our nation celebrates flimsy holidays - the addition of one that actually serves insightful looks into history is long overdue.
This year, and years prior, little attention has been devoted to Juneteenth. If holidays are meant to acknowledge history, it's a disservice to Americans to limit celebrations to those hallmarked by a select few. To be sure, no holiday is entirely encompassing. There always will be dissent, or at least passive indifference, to any day of recognition. The addition of Juneteenth as an officially recognized holiday, though, serves a much greater purpose in understanding American history - which is a duty we all need to embrace.
