A Reflection on Freedom and Recognition
- LaToya Lane
- Jun 17
- 7 min read
This June, I want to take a moment to reflect on Juneteenth—not just as a federal holiday, but as a long-overdue recognition of Black freedom and perseverance in America. As a Black woman born and raised in Texas, I grew up celebrating July 4th like everyone else. I watched fireworks light up the sky, ate barbecue with my family, and sang along to patriotic songs without fully grasping the disconnect between the promise of American independence and the reality of my ancestors’ bondage.
It wasn’t until I was much older that I learned the truth: that while the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776, freedom for Black people—specifically those enslaved in Texas—did not come until nearly a century later, and even then, only by force.
Juneteenth, short for June 19th, commemorates the day in 1865 when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that the Civil War had ended and all enslaved people were free. This was more than two years after President Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation. The delay wasn't a matter of miscommunication—it was a result of deliberate suppression, of white landowners holding onto power and labor for as long as they could.
Despite this injustice, the newly freed Black Texans turned June 19th into a day of jubilation. They marked it with church services, family reunions, music, food, and prayer. That spirit of celebration and resistance endured across generations, often quietly and without mainstream acknowledgment. In fact, Juneteenth was largely ignored by history books and school curriculum. I was never taught about it in school—not once—even though it originated right here in the state I call home.
Much of the modern recognition of Juneteenth can be credited to the tireless work of activists and elders who refused to let the memory die. Chief among them is Opal Lee, a 90-something-year-old woman from Fort Worth, Texas, often called the “Grandmother of Juneteenth.” She walked for thousands of miles—literally—from Texas to Washington, D.C., to raise awareness and push for national recognition. Ms. Lee walked 2.5 miles a day for 2 years. It was her advocacy, and that of so many others before and beside her, that helped build the momentum that led President Joe Biden to sign legislation in 2021 officially making Juneteenth a federal holiday.
We also honor the many leaders who laid the groundwork for this recognition: Texas State Representative Al Edwards, who championed the holiday’s significance at the state level as far back as 1979; grassroots organizers and Black historians who documented local traditions; and modern cultural stewards like Angela Tate, Dr. Daina Ramey Berry, and Annette Gordon-Reed, who have kept the stories of emancipation alive in the public imagination.
Texas holds a special place in Juneteenth's history. In 1872, a group of Black ministers and businessmen in Houston purchased ten acres of land, naming it Emancipation Park, to host Juneteenth celebrations. Today, cities across Texas, including Galveston, Fort Worth, and Austin, host parades, concerts, and educational events to honor this day
Today, Juneteenth stands not only as a commemoration of delayed freedom, but as a call to action. It is a day to celebrate Black joy, resilience, and culture—but also to acknowledge that the journey toward full liberation is not over. Voting rights, police violence, wealth inequality, housing justice, and educational equity—these are all modern battlegrounds that remind us that freedom, once delayed, is still being denied in new forms.
For those of us who didn’t grow up with Juneteenth, this is a chance to reclaim a piece of our heritage that was always ours, even if it was hidden from us. It’s a chance to center Black history as American history—not just in moments of pain, but in moments of pride, creativity, and hope.
This Juneteenth, I invite you to reflect with me. What does freedom look like—not just on paper, but in practice? What stories were kept from you, and what are you doing to reclaim them? And most importantly, how do we honor those who fought, marched, organized, and dreamed of a world where our liberation is not an afterthought, but a starting point?
Let us not treat Juneteenth as just a day off. Let us treat it as a day of remembering, reckoning, and recommitment. Let us uplift Black voices, support Black-led movements, and keep walking in the footsteps of those who made this day possible—so that no one else has to wait years to hear that they are free.
Did You Know?
Red food and drinks like strawberry soda, red velvet cake, and hibiscus tea are Juneteenth staples. The color red symbolizes resilience and ancestral strength in African cultures.
Houston’s Emancipation Park is the oldest public park in Texas purchased by and for African Americans.
The very first Juneteenth celebration took place in 1866—a year after the original announcement.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning book On Juneteenth by Texas native Annette Gordon-Reed explores the holiday’s significance and its complex place in American history.
Learning Resources
Books:
On Juneteenth by Annette Gordon-Reed
Four Hundred Souls edited by Ibram X. Kendi and Keisha N. Blain
Websites:
Video:
Celebrations
El Paso:
Juneteenth Celebration
Date: Saturday, June 14 | 5:30 - 10:00 p.m.
Location: Nations Tobin Park
Details: Celebrate Juneteenth with family games, activities, jumping balloons, live music, and more! Presented by Parks & Recreation and Black El Paso Voice.
Val Verde:
Juneteenth Celebration
Date: Thursday June 19, 2025 | 10:00 a,m, - 5:00 p.m.
Location: Sidney Blanks Park
Details: Join the Val Verde Juneteenth Association for their Juneteenth Celebration.
Edinburg:
Juneteenth Celebration
Date: Thursday June 19, 2025 | 5:30 - 10:00 p.m.
Location: Edinburg ACE Center
Details: This year’s celebration will feature live music, cultural performances, inspirational speakers, and dance, alongside a dynamic mix of vendors, food, and community activities.
Dallas:
South Dallas Cultural Center Juneteenth Artist Showcase
Date: Thursday, June 19, 2025
Location: South Dallas Cultural Center
Details: Celebrate Juneteenth with a vibrant artist showcase featuring music, art, and good vibes for the whole family. Free and open to all ages from 12 to 5 p.m.
Juneteenth Celebration at the African American Museum
Date: Saturday, June 21, 2025
Location: African American Museum of Dallas
Details: A full day of cultural celebration with storytelling, live performances, interactive exhibits, and community programming for all ages. Free admission. Come honor freedom and heritage with us.
Fort Worth:
Declarations of Freedom – National Juneteenth Museum at Fort Works Art
Date: Thursday, June 12 to Saturday, July 19, 2025
Location: Fort Works Art
Details: The National Juneteenth Museum presents Declarations of Freedom, an inaugural exhibition showcasing contemporary artworks that reflect on Juneteenth history and the ongoing pursuit of liberation. Featuring artists such as Letitia Huckaby, Sedrick Huckaby, Delita Martin, Vicki Meek, and more.
Freedom Vibes – National Juneteenth Museum
Date: Thursday, June 19 to Sunday, June 22, 2025
Location: Various locations in Fort Worth
Details: A four-day celebration of history, community, and joy, Freedom Vibes brings together performances, conversations, and cultural experiences across the city. Hosted by the National Juneteenth Museum to support future programming and honor Fort Worth’s role in the Juneteenth legacy.
San Antonio:
Off the Wall: Celebrating Juneteenth
Date: Tuesday, June 17, 2025
Location: San Antonio Museum of Art
Details: Celebrate the 160th anniversary of Juneteenth by exploring how contemporary Black artists use their work to claim space. This tour features works like How Do You Spell America #6 by Willie Cole and Beloved Worker by Matthew Angelo Harrison, part of the Readymade Remix exhibition.
Freedom’s Song: A Journey Through Gospel Radio
Date: Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Location: The Tobin Center (Presented by SAAACAM and Bexar County)
Details: Celebrate gospel radio’s legacy with the San Antonio Gospel Heritage Choir, Rev. Dr. Lemelle Taylor, Michael A. Potts, Earl “Skip” Jackson, and special guest Dr. Bobby Jones. Featuring live music, stories, and rare archival moments.
SAAACAM Green Book Civil Rights Bus Tour
Date: Thursday, June 19, 2025
Location: Begins at Brackenridge Parking Garage, 3501 Avenue B
Details: Take a 2.5-hour journey through San Antonio’s historic East Side to uncover over 80 Green Book sites and the stories of African American entrepreneurship, community, and resilience.
Houston:
Juneteenth @160 – Buffalo Soldiers National Museum
Date: Thursday, June 19 to Saturday, June 21, 2025
Location: Buffalo Soldiers National Museum
Details: Join a three-day celebration hosted by the Center for African American Military History, featuring exhibits, panel discussions, artistic installations, and living history encampments that explore the legacy of the Emancipation Proclamation and the power of community.
Terms & Conditions: The Promise vs. Reality
Date: Thursday, June 19 to Sunday, August 3, 2025
Location: University Museum at Texas Southern University
Details: This exhibition honors the legacy of the United States Colored Troops (USCT) and explores Black liberation across generations. Featuring contemporary art and historical interpretation, the show invites audiences to reimagine what freedom means when justice remains conditional.
Writers Remix Series: Juneteenth at MFAH
Date: Friday, June 20, 2025
Location: Museum of Fine Arts, Houston – Kinder Building, Level 3
Details: Celebrate Juneteenth through the written word. Local artists perform original works inspired by Hidden Histories in the museum’s galleries. Featuring David Landry, Tasiah Iman, Marie Brown, and C.T. Arrive early for Happy Hour Friday and enjoy the ambiance before the show.
Austin:
Central Texas Juneteenth Parade & Celebration
Date: June 19, 2025
Location: MLK Blvd. to Rosewood Park
Details: A parade followed by a celebration with food, music, and local vendors.
Neill-Cochran House Museum Juneteenth Celebration
Date: Sunday, June 22; 12 – 4 p.m.
Location: George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural & Genealogy Center
Details: A community cookout and music festival with live performances, food, and cultural activities.
Central Texas Juneteenth Parade & Celebration
Date: June 19, 2025
Location: MLK Blvd. to Rosewood Park
Details: A parade followed by a celebration with food, music, and local vendors.
Foodle thrives on its daily puzzle format, where players receive one new challenge every day. This limitation makes each puzzle feel special, as players eagerly anticipate the next day’s food word.
How can we ensure that Juneteenth is not only celebrated as a holiday but also used as a catalyst for addressing the ongoing Block Blast systemic inequalities that still impact Black communities today?