“No persons formerly slaves will be permitted to travel on the public thoroughfares without passes or permits from their employers, or congregate in buildings or camps at or adjacent to any military post or town.”
Do you remember the “moonwalk” dance? A dancer appeared to go forward but really moved backwards. That’s sort of what it was like to be a slave in the 1860s. The words above come from General Gordon Granger. He wrote the Juneteenth memo. Two weeks later, he wrote the above prohibitions. Metaphorically, Granger danced the moonwalk.
President Lincoln initiated the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. Slaves in “rebellion” states were free. The military was instructed to “recognize and maintain the freedom of such persons,” and “not repress such persons…” General Granger penned the Juneteenth announcement June 19, 1865.
Let’s do some math, it took 2 ½ years for freedom to reach Texas from Washington. Only two weeks later, freedom had boundaries. What took years to accomplish, took days to demolish. Granger said “you’re free.” A conspicuous question remained: “to do what?” The 1865 freemen were far from enjoying the Preamble’s “blessings of liberty,” or the Declaration’s promise of equality. Juneteenth, it seems, was not a destination. Rather, it was a journey.
The Juneteenth journey would include moonwalks as well as marches. While slaves might be freed, they were not citizens. The later goal would take another century. You read correct: it took a hundred years for amendments and declarations to become reality.
So, where does this leave us? Juneteenth National Independence Day deserves our attention. First, we realize that liberty is not an instant drink mix. We cannot just add water, write decrees and get freedom or liberty. Such goals take more. They require courageous, and sometimes sacrificial, action. Juneteenth celebrates such action.
Senator John Cornyn, R-Texas, noted Juneteenth “is part of the history and heritage of the United States.” Knowing of our past helps ALL Americans mold a better future. We need that.