by Trey Thompson

On the seventeenth of June in 2021, President Joe Biden signed the legislation of making Juneteenth a U.S. federal holiday.

Juneteenth has a long-lasting history in our country. It marks the day that ALL slaves in the United States were free to roam and do as they please. The Emancipation Proclamation was issued in 1863…However, slavery was not abolished completely until 1865. On June nineteenth of 1865, 250,000 enslaved African-Americans were finally told they were free after slave holders refused to tell them. We celebrate this holiday now because it meant that everyone in America was finally free.

History has always been a favorite subject of mine. I never was able to understand why people of color were so hated for something that they had no power or control over. This holiday means so much to me for many reasons. Not only were the chains of slavery broken and the brothers and sisters that were in bondage free, but it also symbolized that we are worth more than property. We can do the same things as anyone else in this country and on this planet. We can go to school and get our education and go to college. We are not inferior to anyone and are all equal and should be treated as such. It represents how far we’ve come as a country. It took over one hundred years to acknowledge our independence day! As the son of a Black woman and Black/Native American man, I am proud of where I come from. I won’t let anyone take that from me. I will teach my kids about where they come from. Juneteenth celebrates Black culture and the immense love we have for one another.

Where we come from and celebrate our ancestors who for centuries have been stuck doing someone else’s work and being treated as someone’s property and humiliated and kept from opportunities. From slavery, to segregation, to now! We will continue to celebrate and rejoice at our amazing culture!

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending the Juneteenth parade in Dumfries, Virginia. Juneteenth and slavery have a huge impact in this town. It is filled with so much history and I’ve learned so much while spending time at the parade. Here are a few things I’ve noticed that I think makes this parade a very interesting one and one you must see the next time you’re in town during this incredible time of year.

Fraternities and sororities are a huge part in college life and an even bigger part in the Black community. Safe to say they were out in full force. Everyone from AKAs to Omega Psi Phi! All of these organizations have played a huge impact on the Black community.

One thing that made my heart filled with joy, was the fact that so many people from all backgrounds and races showed up in support at this event. This was notable because it showed how we were able to all come together and celebrate as one!

The parade ended next to a local cemetery that is also the final resting place of many slaves. This was the most intriguing part of the parade for me and in my opinion. I loved all the spirit and life that filled the streets this morning!

Trey is entering in his second year of college at Radford University. Majoring in Journalism, he developed a passion for it after his grandfather invited him to be on his radio show and report on news and entertainment going on in the world. He is also a huge animal lover and enjoy writing as a hobby.