Celebrating "Juneteenth," the oldest and most popular commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States, leaders of the Project 21 black activist organization urge black Americans seeking more opportunity and prosperity to question political beliefs that have failed them. Project 21's new "Blueprint for a Better Deal for Black America" furthers Juneteenth's goals of self-improvement and stronger communities by offering innovative policies that address longstanding problems affecting black households.
"Blacks and conservatives both value freedom, and that's what Juneteenth is all about. It's time to come together. While Juneteenth signifies emancipation, a mental slavery still exists within the black community as too many people are shackled to a rigid, divisive political mindset," said Project 21 co-chairman Stacy Washington, a syndicated talk radio host in St, Louis, Missouri. "We marginalize ourselves by supporting a leftist agenda that fails to improve black lives. That's why Project 21 developed its 'Blueprint for a Better Deal for Black America' to show how free markets and fairness can help us soar. Juneteenth is a good time to consider these ideas and empower our communities."
Juneteenth is observed annually on June 19. It commemorates the anniversary of the June 19, 1865 arrival of Union troops in Galveston, Texas. They brought with them news of the end of the Civil War and President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation that abolished slavery two-and-a-half years earlier. Galveston's former slave population began celebrating their freedom on the anniversary of this day in an event called Juneteenth. It became a motivating and stabilizing commemoration for black Texans experiencing uncertainties associated with their newfound freedom and full integration into American society.
The observance of Juneteenth and its emphasis on black advancement spread from Texas to be recognized across the United States today. Modern Juneteenth picnics and parades continue to celebrate self-improvement and education, and Project 21 members want to see that focus become a yearlong quest.
"Juneteenth is about making ourselves better as individuals and helping our communities thrive. We need to do more, and it's important to be open to new ideas. That's why Project 21's 'Blueprint for a Better Deal for Black America' is a valuable tool," said Project 21 Co-Chairman Council Nedd II, an Anglican archbishop and Pennsylvania state constable. "From choice and standards in education to promoting job creation to improving community-police relations, Project 21 is giving black America a gift of hope this Juneteenth."
Recognizing that too many black families suffer from conditions undermining upward mobility and perpetuating unacceptable levels of poverty, crime and other social ills — and believing that government programs have transformed the nation's social safety net into a vicious cycle of dependency — Project 21's "Blueprint for a Better Deal for Black America" identifies 10 key areas for reform. It offers 57 concrete, budget-neutral recommendations to remove barriers blocking black Americans from reaching their full potential and ensuring that the American dream is attainable for all. Project 21 leaders have briefed key staff at the White House and with congressional leadership about the ideas available in the Blueprint.
Project 21, a leading voice of black conservatives for over 25 years, is sponsored by the National Center for Public Policy Research. Its members have been quoted, interviewed or published over 40,000 times since the program was created in 1992. Contributions to the National Center are tax-deductible and greatly appreciated, and may be earmarked exclusively for the use of Project 21.
Founded in 1982, the National Center for Public Policy Research is a non-partisan, free-market, independent conservative think-tank. Ninety-four percent of its support comes from some 60,000 individuals, less than four percent from foundations and less than two percent from corporations. Sign up for email updates here.
Follow Project 21 on Twitter at @Project21News or general announcements. To be alerted to upcoming media appearances by Project 21 members, follow our media appearances Twitter account at @NCPPRMedia.
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Project 21 - We're glad to see that y'all are fighting back against racial subjugation and oppression. FYI - some of us have been fighting for at least 50 years. As for Juneteenth, here's our essay -
Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of our enslavement in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended, the confederacy fail and that the enslaved were now free. Note that this was two and a half years after Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation - which had become official January 1, 1863 freeing only the enslaved in rebellion states. The Emancipation Proclamation had little impact on the Texans (or Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Louisiana and Virginia) due to the state’s secession from the union and the minimal number of Union troops to enforce the new Executive Order. However, with the surrender of General Lee in April of 1865, and the arrival of General Granger’s regiment, the forces were finally strong enough to influence and overcome the resistance to the idea of New Afrikans being free. Certainly, for some, President Lincoln's authority over the rebellious states was in question.
Later attempts to explain this two and a half year delay in the receipt of this important news have yielded several versions that have been handed down through the years. But the truth is that the Emancipation Proclamation was to political juncture and not a moral revelation of american conscience. Thus, the enforcement of the Proclamation was predicated on winning the war, which was dicey at best until the influxes of New Afrikans into the war fighting for their freedom.
General Order Number 3
One of General Granger’s first orders of business was to read to the people of Texas, General Order Number 3 which began most significantly with:
"The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free [in states in rebellion against the union]. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and free laborer."
The reactions to this profound news ranged from pure shock to immediate jubilation. While many lingered to learn of this new employer to employee relationship, many left before these offers were completely off the lips of their former 'masters' - attesting to the varying conditions on the plantations and the realization of freedom. But from the start of this "new relationship", it was clear the emancipation/freedom did not mean full citizenship.
So while We should celebrate Juneteenth, We must not confuse emancipation with FREEDOM. Freedom would have given New Afrikans a choice between becoming second class citizens, repatriating back to Africa, or forming a separate territory under New Afrikan rule. Juneteenth continued to be highly revered in the New Afrikan Community, with many descendants of the enslaved making an annual pilgrimage back to Galveston on this date. And at the same time, descendants of the enslaved continue to fight the war of southern rebellion against the emancipation of New Afrikans with full citizenship (mcc The Civil War) and We’re to FREE THE LAND!
written by Baba A. Lukata Chikuyu
Blackucation Consultant
Life Member, N'COBRA
New Afrikan Cultural & Political Consultant
Founder & Afrikan in Charge, REAL Learning Institute
Conceiver, Free The Free Institute
#1 Good Brother