What is Juneteenth?
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Milton Williams Archives
Definition
Juneteenth (officially, “Juneteenth National Independence Day”) is a federal observance in the United States, which commemorates the end of legal enslavement of African Americans. First recognized by the State of Texas, the name is derived from “June 19.” This is the approximate date in 1866 that U.S, troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to ensure that slavery had ended, and all enslaved Black people were freed.
The origins of the commemoration
Juneteenth is considered the longest-running holiday observed by Black Americans, as it marked the time—two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation—that legalized slavery finally ended.
Black Texans inaugurated the holiday and continued the practice of holding family reunions, religious, worship services, community celebrations, and honoring Black culture for Juneteenth. The practice spread to other states and the observance became an official national holiday in 2021, celebrated annually on or around June 19.
Why should Juneteenth matter to Christians?
Throughout Biblical history, God has demonstrated an affinity for those people and nations oppressed and dominated unjustly. Most of the Old Testament is concerned with God’s care for the Hebrew people as they escaped enslavement by Egyptians and oppression and warring at the hands of other tribal people.
In his prophecy about the coming of the Messiah, Isaiah told of one who would, “bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners” (Isaiah 61:1, New Revised Standard Version). Jesus’s earthly ministry took place while the Hebrews were occupied and subjugated by the Roman Empire. In fulfilling God’s promise, Jesus reiterated God’s promise to “proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free” (Luke 4:18, NRSV).
Many white U.S. Christians before and during the Civil War era either were indifferent to or supported the idea that Black people were justifiably subject to enslavement and second-class treatment. Christian leaders in Europe and the United States even used scripture to justify the oppression and enslavement of those of African descent.
Today, however, most people acknowledge that such a blatant expression of institutional and systemic racism runs contrary to the word of the God who desired flourishing, wholeness, and liberation for all people.
Juneteenth is a reminder that, despite the sins of our past as a church and society, the God of liberation comes always to champion those who struggle against evil and to bring good news, release, and justice.
How should Christians respond?
The people called Christians are called to stand with Christ on the side of the marginalized, outcast, oppressed and occupied people and nations. Therefore, we must speak truth to the world—and even our own churches and people—when we fail to love and honor our neighbors.
The blot of slavery in the United States should never be forgotten; at the same time, we also have a Christian heritage where Black, White, Native, and other people of color also worked fervently against enslavement of Africans and other manifestations of racial hatred and systemic discrimination.
Observing Juneteenth offers opportunities for U.S. Christians to acknowledge the full weight of our nation’s history and to redouble our efforts to join God in building a world where all people have abundant life.
Theologians Laurel C. Sneider and Stephen G. Ray write, “Even as we recognize the damages our religious tradition has inflicted, we have lived by a Christian faith, a faith that does not accept the status quo, that has given us hope.” (1)
Questions for reflection
What do you know about how your family or congregation were involved with the institution of enslaving Black people before the Civil War? What were you taught in church school about U.S. slave trade and the stance Christians took about enslavement?
What is your Christian denomination’s current stand on racism and white supremacy?
What Biblical stories do you know that offer insight on how Jesus treated and felt about people who were cast out, enslaved, marginalized, or considered “lower class” during his time?
When did you first learn about Juneteenth? What did you learn?
For more information
(1) Schneider, Laurel C. and Stephen G. Ray Jr., editors. Awake to The Moment. An Introduction to Theology. Westminster John Knox Press, 2016.
“10 Things We Want White People to Do to Celebrate Juneteenth,” by Guimel Carvalho and Amy Hogarth, for Wayside Youth and Family, June 18, 2020; https://www.waysideyouth.org/2020/06/18/10-things-we-want-white-people-to-do-to-celebrate-juneteenth
Gordon-Reed, Annette, On Juneteenth (audio book, available on Kindle, too), Recorded Books, Inc., 2021.
Gorman, James L., Jeff Childers, and Mark W. Hamilton, editors., Slavery’s Long Shadow. Race and Reconciliation in American Christianity. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2019.
Elford, John, Our Hearts Were Strangely Lukewarm. The American Church and the Struggle with White Supremacy. Wipf & Stock, 2023.