Juneteenth: Your Essential Guide to Celebrating Freedom’s True Arrival

One hundred and sixty years ago, on June 19, 1865, enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, received life-changing news: they were finally free. This monumental moment, which came two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation and after the end of the Civil War, sparked what we now know as Juneteenth.

The holiday, a blend of “June” and “nineteenth,” has grown significantly over the decades. In 2021, President Joe Biden elevated its status, making it a federal holiday and extending its recognition far beyond the Black community.

This year marks the first Juneteenth under President Donald Trump’s second administration, which has controversially moved to ban diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the federal government. This has included removing Black American history content from federal websites and discouraging some federal agencies from recognizing other racial heritage celebrations.

Despite this political climate, many Americans anticipate observing Juneteenth with a plethora of street festivals, fairs, concerts, and other events planned throughout the week. But for some, particularly in workplaces, there might be a quiet question: Will my company still honor it?

“I don’t think anyone should be intimidated or obligated into not celebrating the day,” affirms Marc Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League. “I’ve not heard of anyone being denied. I think it would be absolutely reprehensible.”

For those new to the holiday, or looking to deepen their understanding, you might be asking: Is there a “right” way to celebrate Juneteenth? Let’s dive in.

Understanding Juneteenth: Solemn Reflection or Joyful Celebration?

The beauty of Juneteenth lies in its flexibility. It can be both!

• A Celebration of Freedom: Juneteenth festivities are deeply rooted in cookouts and picnics. These outdoor gatherings were originally boisterous, revolutionary reunions for formerly enslaved families, many of whom had been separated. These were powerful moments, free from the oppressive “Black Codes” enforced in Confederate states that restricted Black Americans’ rights to vote, own property, or even gather for worship.
• A Day of Remembrance: For others, Juneteenth is a day for rest, reflection, and community engagement. This might mean participating in community service, attending educational panels to learn more about the history, or simply taking time off to honor the significance of the day.

As Marc Morial puts it, “The most important thing everyone should do is be able to quickly answer the question ‘What is Juneteenth?'”

Last year, the White House hosted a festive concert on the South Lawn for Juneteenth and Black Music Month, featuring Vice President Kamala Harris dancing with gospel singer Kirk Franklin. Plans for this year’s White House events or proclamations are still pending.

Never Celebrated Juneteenth Before? You’re Not Alone!

Dr. David Anderson, a Black pastor and CEO of Gracism Global (a consulting firm focused on bridging racial and cultural divides), admits he never celebrated Juneteenth growing up and only learned about it in his 30s. “I think many folks haven’t known about it — who are even my color as an African American male,” he notes. “Even if you heard about it and knew about it, you didn’t celebrate it. It was like just a part of history. It wasn’t a celebration of history.”

Historically, the farther one lived from Texas, the less likely they were to have regular, large Juneteenth celebrations. Even within the South, the specific day of celebration could vary based on when word of emancipation actually reached each state.

What Kind of Public Juneteenth Events Can You Expect?

A quick online search will reveal a diverse array of gatherings across the nation, varying in scope and tone:

• Carnival-esque Festivals: Many events feature food trucks, arts and crafts vendors, and vibrant parades. These festivals often include valuable community resources, offering information on healthcare, finance, and other local services.
• Cultural Showcases: Look for concerts, fashion shows, and other events designed to highlight Black creativity and artistry.
• Educational Panels: Many gatherings include discussions and presentations to deepen understanding of Juneteenth’s historical significance.
• National Parks: The National Park Service continues its tradition of offering free entry to all its sites on Juneteenth, encouraging public access and historical engagement.

Flags and Flavors: Juneteenth Traditions

• Symbolic Flags:
  • Pan-African Flag (Red, Black, and Green): Historically displayed during both Black History Month and Juneteenth, this flag’s colors hold deep meaning: Red for the bloodshed and sacrifice of enslaved ancestors, Black for Black people, and Green for the richness of the African land.
  • Juneteenth Flag (Red, White, and Blue): Created in 1997 by activist Ben Haith, this flag mirrors the American flag’s colors to signify that those freed are also Americans. The central white five-pointed star pays tribute to Juneteenth’s Texas birthplace, encircled by another white starry line representing the spreading of freedom.
• Red Foods and Barbecue: Barbecue is a staple, but the color red is a consistent theme in Juneteenth cuisine, symbolizing the bloodshed and sacrifice of enslaved ancestors. Common menu items include:
  • Barbecued ribs or other red meats
  • Watermelon
  • Red velvet cake
  • Red drinks like fruit punch and red Kool-Aid

While national chains have previously sold Juneteenth party supplies and merchandise, this year may see fewer in-store items, with more potentially available online. Morial expresses disappointment if companies are shying away due to political sensitivities, but he also sees an opportunity: “I would also encourage people to go online and look for an African American vendor,” he advises.

Do Non-Black People Celebrate Juneteenth? Absolutely!

Dr. Karida Brown, a sociology professor at Emory University specializing in race, strongly encourages non-Black individuals to embrace and recognize Juneteenth, emphasizing that it’s not just “Black history.”

“It absolutely is your history. It absolutely is a part of your experience,” Brown states. “Isn’t this all of our history? The good, the bad, the ugly, the story of emancipation and freedom for your Black brothers and sisters under the Constitution of the law.” There’s no need to feel awkward; embrace it as a shared American story of progress.

Other Names for Juneteenth & How to Greet Others

Over the decades, Juneteenth has also been known as Freedom Day, Emancipation Day, Black Fourth of July, and second Independence Day.

Dr. Brown highlights why some call it “second Independence Day”: “Because 1776, Fourth of July, where we’re celebrating freedom and liberty and all of that, that did not include my descendants. Black people in America were still enslaved. So that holiday always comes with a bittersweet tinge to it.”

As for greetings, it’s perfectly common to wish people a “Happy Juneteenth” or “Happy Teenth.” Comedian Alan Freeman, who organizes Juneteenth comedy shows, likens it to Christmas: “You know how at Christmas people will say ‘Merry Christmas’ to each other and not even know each other? You can get a ‘Merry Christmas’ from everybody. This is the same way.”

Source: AP News – A guide to what the Juneteenth holiday is and how to celebrate

The post Juneteenth Explained: Your Guide to Celebrating Freedom appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

Nearly an hour after his son shot and killed Ahmaud Arbery, Greg McMichael reached out for help to his former boss, Jackie Johnson, the district attorney of Glynn County, Georgia.

“My son and I have been involved in a shooting, and I need some advice right away,” McMichael said, leaving a voicemail on Johnson’s phone.

The killing of Arbery, a 25-year-old Black man, led to national outrage after a video showing the tragic event surfaced online. McMichael, his son Travis McMichael, and their neighbor William “Roddie” Bryan—three white men—used trucks and guns in a violent chase before the shooting. They are now serving life sentences for murder and federal hate crimes. However, it wasn’t until more than two months after the incident that they were arrested.

Now, nearly five years later, Johnson, who was serving as the local prosecutor at the time, is facing charges of misconduct. She’s accused of using her office to interfere with the investigation into Arbery’s death. Jury selection for her trial is scheduled to begin on Tuesday in Brunswick, Georgia.

Key Details About the Case:

How Was Ahmaud Arbery Killed?

Arbery, an avid runner, was often seen jogging through the Satilla Shores neighborhood in Glynn County. On February 23, 2020, as Arbery ran past the McMichaels’ property, the father and son grabbed guns and gave chase in their pickup trucks. Bryan, in a separate truck, filmed the incident.

The footage showed Travis McMichael shooting Arbery at point-blank range as they struggled over his shotgun. Arbery was unarmed and had no stolen property on him. Despite this, local police initially let the men go, with Greg McMichael claiming they suspected Arbery was a thief.

Two months later, Bryan’s video was leaked, igniting outrage. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation took over the case, and arrests quickly followed for the McMichaels and Bryan.

Who Is Jackie Johnson and Why Was She Charged?

At the time of Arbery’s death, Jackie Johnson had served as the district attorney for southeast Georgia’s Brunswick Judicial Circuit for ten years. Greg McMichael had worked in her office before retiring.

After the shooting, Johnson claimed she recused herself from the case due to her connection with Greg McMichael. Another prosecutor, George Barnhill, was appointed to take over. However, Barnhill quickly ruled that the McMichaels acted lawfully in attempting to detain Arbery, and that the shooting was justified.

In May 2020, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr launched an investigation into Johnson and Barnhill. Carr revealed that Barnhill had been recommended by Johnson and failed to disclose that he had advised police the shooting wasn’t a crime.

In November 2020, Johnson was ousted from office. By 2021, she was indicted on charges of violating her oath of office and hindering the investigation.

What Are the Charges Against Jackie Johnson?

Johnson faces felony charges for using her office to show “favor and affection” to Greg McMichael. She is also charged with a misdemeanor for hindering police by advising that Travis McMichael should not be arrested.

Johnson has denied any wrongdoing, claiming she didn’t direct police not to arrest anyone. Her defense attorney, Brian Steel, stated in a pretrial hearing that Johnson was focused on an unrelated case and wasn’t aware of the details of the Arbery case.

Court records reveal that Johnson and Greg McMichael had at least 16 phone calls in the weeks after the shooting.

Jury Selection Process

Jury selection for Johnson’s trial is set to begin Tuesday in Glynn County. To ensure an impartial jury, 500 local residents were summoned—far more than usual. Prospective jurors will be questioned about their prior knowledge of the case, with the selection process expected to take a week or more.

Why Did It Take So Long for Johnson’s Trial to Begin?

The delay in Johnson’s trial, which took over three years, was largely due to her defense attorney’s commitments. Brian Steel spent nearly two years defending rapper Young Thug in a high-profile racketeering case, causing a delay in Johnson’s court proceedings. After Young Thug entered a plea deal in late October 2023, Johnson’s trial was scheduled for January 2025.

Source

The post How Ahmaud Arbery’s Killers Avoided Arrest—And What Jackie Johnson Did About It appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

Walmart, the largest private employer in the U.S., has announced changes to its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs following scrutiny from conservative activist Robby Starbuck. The retail giant has decided not to renew a racial equity center it established after the 2020 murder of George Floyd and will no longer participate in the Human Rights Campaign’s LGBTQ+ benchmark index.

Starbucks claimed he held “productive conversations” with Walmart after warning the company about a report he was preparing on corporate “wokeness.” He praised Walmart’s actions, stating:

“Removing wokeness from Walmart has downstream effects on suppliers and sets the tone for corporate America. Changing the operating policies at a nearly $1 trillion company is a monumental achievement.”

Changes to Walmart’s DEI Policies

Walmart has also pledged to:

• Monitor third-party products for inappropriate sexual or transgender items marketed to children.
• Review Pride funding.
• Discontinue the use of the term “Latinx” in official communications.

However, Walmart emphasized that many of these changes were already in progress. For instance, the company had rebranded its DEI efforts to focus on “belonging” and revised its supplier diversity programs.

In an official statement, Walmart expressed its commitment to inclusivity:

“We’ve been on a journey and know we aren’t perfect, but every decision comes from a place of wanting to foster belonging, open doors to opportunities, and be a Walmart for everyone.”

Broader Context: DEI Under Fire

The rollback comes amidst a broader political shift in the U.S. Corporate diversity efforts, while generally supported by younger generations, are increasingly under attack. The 2023 Supreme Court ruling banning race considerations in college admissions has emboldened critics of workplace DEI programs.

High-profile boycotts, such as those targeting Bud Light and Target, have pushed some brands to distance themselves from LGBTQ+ marketing. Activists like Starbuck have influenced companies like Ford and Lowe’s to reassess their DEI initiatives.

DEI has also become a hot topic for the 2024 elections, with former President Donald Trump vowing to restrict DEI initiatives in companies that work with the federal government.

The State of DEI in Corporate America

Despite these challenges, most companies remain committed to their DEI efforts. A survey by The Conference Board found that over 60% of executives view the political climate as extremely challenging for DEI, yet fewer than 10% plan to scale back their commitments in the next three years.

Proponents argue that DEI programs benefit businesses by fostering innovation, attracting diverse talent, and improving workplace culture. However, many companies, including Walmart, are hesitant to openly discuss their DEI strategies.

The future of DEI in corporate America hangs in the balance as businesses navigate increasing political and public scrutiny.

Source

The post Walmart Scales Back DEI Efforts Amid Growing Conservative Pressure appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

A deaf man with cerebral palsy, who was violently arrested by Phoenix police officers in August, claims he tried to communicate his disability before being punched and tasered. Tyron McAlpin, a Black man, said he made several attempts to alert the officers that he was deaf, but was met with force and confusion during the encounter.

The incident began when officers responded to a call about a man causing trouble at a Circle K convenience store. Initially, the suspect was described as a white male, but later a different man, who was Black, was falsely identified by another suspect. McAlpin was the one pointed out, despite store employees and surveillance footage disputing the claim.

McAlpin, in a statement through an interpreter, explained that he had tried to signal to the officers that he couldn’t hear by pointing to his ears. However, his attempts were ignored as the officers physically restrained him. He later recounted feeling the emotional and physical toll of the encounter when speaking with a medical worker, mentioning difficulty seeing from his left eye and pain in his neck and chest.

Body camera footage released after the arrest revealed that the officers involved had a clear description of the original suspect, a white male, yet McAlpin was detained. Employees at the store explained to officers that McAlpin was a regular customer who had tried to help them when the disturbance occurred, not the aggressor.

After the incident, one of the officers involved, Ben Harris, claimed in court that he injured his hand while trying to regain control of McAlpin’s arm. The officers have been placed on paid administrative leave while an internal investigation is underway.

McAlpin was initially charged with felony assault and resisting arrest, but on October 17, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell dropped all charges after a review of the case. Mitchell stated that she personally examined video footage, police reports, and other materials, and convened a gathering of senior attorneys and community members to discuss the case.

The released body camera footage shows McAlpin being ordered to the ground by the officers, with no immediate compliance from him. The officers then proceeded to punch him multiple times and use a taser on him while demanding he put his hands behind his back. McAlpin’s attorney, Jesse Showalter, argued that McAlpin, being deaf, could not hear the commands and did not understand what was happening. He hoped the dropped charges would prompt further action based on the disturbing video evidence.

In response to the video, Phoenix Police Chief Michael Sullivan assured the public that an internal investigation was underway, and that the findings would be thoroughly reviewed by multiple oversight bodies. He emphasized the need for patience as the process unfolded.

At the time of the investigation, no charges had been made against the white man who falsely accused McAlpin.

Source

The post Disturbing Body Camera Footage Shows Violent Arrest of Deaf Man in Phoenix appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.