Juneteenth - its history in relationship to Holocaust Education
Growing up in Miami I never heard of Juneteenth. I believe this is most people's experience my age or older. The first I ever heard of Juneteenth was in Dallas TX during graduate school. At the time it made sense that Texans knew all about it while the other 49 states were ignorant of it. After all, Juneteenth takes place in Texas. But it really should be celebrated by all. Here is why:
In 1776, the idea of the United States was officially born - a country completely free governed by, of, and for the people. The founding fathers understood this meant the end of slavery at every level. But the delegates were divided. Some did not want to loose their own slaves, effectively making them hypocrites. Most others were concerned with changing so much so fast that it would leave them weak and vulnerable to Britain or others (France in particular) to capturing the young nation. And a stark and brave few (mostly Quakers) insisted on living up to their principles 100% from day one. The compromise? The words - "in order to form a more perfect union". These 8 words let every generation know we are not yet perfect, we strive to get there with each generation a bit closer. I suppose it was the founders' own version of Tikkun Olam.
The history of Slavery in United States is complex with a lot of nuanced (grey) areas. One Substack article alone can not do it justice, nor can a few chapters in a textbook or a commemorative month in school. It is something we must do better about learning without fear, judgement, or anger. It is our past. We must embrace it, learn it, and be proud we overcame it.
From the earliest of days in the new Republic individuals did their part to free slaves, including many states that slowly but surely adopted state laws prohibiting slavery and by 1787 the US Congress had outlawed slavery in any new states north of the Ohio River (the Mason-Dixon line). Thus by 1817 all Northern and Western states had legally committed themselves by way of their state constitutions to a slave free future.
This left the entire South (south of the Mason-Dixon line and the Southwestern states of Louisiana, Missouri, Arkansas and Texas) entirely united on one issue - Slavery.
This became such a contentious constitutional debate that many wondered if there was anything the federal government could legally do to regulate slavery in individual states that still held on to an immoral and antiquated system.
By 1860- the not so new country has been attacked by Britain several times in attempts to regain control, including the war of 1810 that saw the capitol building (then located in New York) burned to the ground and Francis Scott Key inspired to write our National Anthem- the Star Spangled Banner. That same year also saw the clear understanding that Southern slave states no longer held the majority on either the House of Representative or the Senate , but still remained successful in national elections for President and therefore judicial appointments as well. But the emergence of a new political party, one focused on making those 8 prophetic words, less of a promise and more of a reality, led by a Southern born abolitionist - Abraham Lincoln - changed everything. Many say it was a war over states rights ie the 10th amendment of the Bill of Rights. Others say it was a war over slavery. Technically they are both right.
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