With all that is going on in today's climate, one may be wondering "What Is Juneteenth and Why Is It Important to Celebrate?"
Nearly 90 years after America gained its independence and over TWO years after President Lincoln declared the abolition of legalized slavery in America in 1863, slavery was still intact in Texas. The promise of slavery was dependent on the winning of the Civil War which didn't take place until April 1865.
On June 19, 1865 General Gordon Granger and Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to announce the end of both war and slavery.
Every year since June 19, 1965 Juneteeth, also known as Freedom day, has been celebrated as an Independence Day for African Americans to honor the freedom of ALL Black people in the United States.
As systematic oppression is very real and African Americans are still fighting for true equality and justice, we use Juneteenth to rally together to celebrate, honor and call attention to the work that still needs to be done.
While it is not a National holiday, the state of Texas has declared Juneteenth a state holiday.
My grandmother was born in Galveston, Texas in 1934, just 69 years after slavery ended in Texas! I graduated from college in Houston and Tea Please is based in Dallas. As an African American woman and business owner, Juneteenth is, has always been and will forever be important to acknowledge and celebrate.