Last night the men of the Eta Nu Nu chapter of the illustrious Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., held a 2-hour forum on Juneteenth. Among the topics that were interrogated were the holiday’s origins, the meaning of Juneteenth and its relevance in 2026. Although Juneteenth has been celebrated since 1866 a year after the start of Reconstruction this landmark occasion did not spread in popularity until the Great Migration (1910-1970) as millions of Blacks fled the hostile environs of the South and headed North in search of a better life. By 1980 Juneteenth had become a state holiday in Texas with the passage of House Bill 1016 thanks to State Representative Al Edwards and his allies. Widely known as the “Father of Juneteenth” Edwards dedicated his life to urging officials in other states to follow the example set by Texas lawmakers. His 40-year advocacy laid the groundwork for Juneteenth finally becoming a federal holiday in 2021 during President Joe Biden’s presidency. Edwards died in 2020, but his legacy lives on.
Last night’s discussion was robust. Some time was spent debunking myths and unraveling misunderstandings about several topics and figures one of which involved Abraham Lincoln, the purported Great Emancipator, a moniker to which he is wholly underserving. There was also talk of the real reason behind the Civil War and it had little to do with freeing enslaved people. Then of course, the group touched on the many presidents who talked of such things as liberty and equality like Thomas Jefferson yet owned hundreds of enslaved Blacks. The only president who owned more slaves than Jefferson was George Washington. Other presidents who owned slaves in the hundreds include Andrew Jackson and Zachary Taylor. There are also reports of James Madison owning at least 100 enslaved Blacks.
Perhaps one of the most intriguing issues raised is whether the descendants of those enslaved Blacks in Galveston, Texas, warrant reparations of some kind. More than two years after Proclamation 95 aka the Emancipation Proclamation was enacted into law Blacks in Galveston remained in captivity. A strong case can be made if any group of people is deserving of reparations it is those enslaved Blacks in that tiny gulf coast city; a city whose economy was dependent on cotton. Having said that much of the discussion centered on the significance of Juneteenth in 2026 and the most appropriate way not only to celebrate this important occasion but to honor it. Musical and art festivals as well as other cultural endeavors are a great way to celebrate Juneteenth, yet to honor Juneteenth requires quite a bit more. Although there was some disagreement among the participants as to the best way to honor the holiday the consensus seemed to favor an action intended to improve the life chances of those who lack access to levers of power. Everyone was in favor of doing something that moves the needle. What that action item will be continues to be a matter of debate.
Judson L. Jeffries, PhD, MPH, is Professor of African American and African Studies at the Ohio State University.