America fought its bloodiest war mainly over the issue of slavery. It took the deaths of over half a million citizens to abolish the heinous institution. This figure does not account for the untold numbers of black lives devastated by slavery—brutal corporal punishments, the centuries of strenuous physical labor without remuneration, and, significantly for this contemporary moment, the separation of husbands and wives and children from parents. No number could ever quantify the pain of slavery for black people in America.

The moment when millions of black people finally gained the liberation for which they had been fighting since at least 1619 deserves space in the calendar to remember who America truly is and how much effort it takes to overcome the racism that often characterizes life in this nation. Celebrating Juneteenth signifies one of the most important moments in history, the Emancipation of slavery which was finalized on June 19th, 1865 after the Civil War. Now more than ever black people are still fighting for change and equality all of the world. In the recent horrific events the death of George Floyd, Breyonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, have sparked protests globally to fight against police brutality. The Black Lives Matter movement have contributed to the unity and realization that black people have suffered long enough. We aren't saying our lives matter more than yours, but it just matters  as everyone's should. Juneteenth should be recognized as a national holiday because it is a singular moment in U.S. history, and it solidifies the reality that black history is American history!

-Ref. Jemar Tisby