UPDATED: 9:00 a.m. June 19, 2020 —
Today marks 155 years since the announcement of the abolition of slavery in the state of Texas. June 19, 1865, is the true Independence Day for Black folks across the country and social media users are celebrating Juneteenth.
The observation takes on a new significance this year amid ongoing nationwide protests against racism and violence by law enforcement, two primary factors that taken together helped slavery thrive in America for so many centuries.
Juneteenth 2020 was taking place just weeks removed from the police killing of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man who was handcuffed and facedown on the pavement when an officer used his knee to apply deadly pressure to the 46-year-old’s neck in broad daylight in Minneapolis on Memorial Day. It was also less than a week removed from a police officer shooting unarmed Black man Rayshard Brooks in the back in Atlanta. The officers accused in each killing have been charged with murder.
All of this was unfolding against the backdrop of the House and Senate each unveiling their own competing police reform bills as the president signed what critics called a hollow executive order on policing.
The result has been nearly four straight weeks of protests in all corners of the country and everywhere in between as America seemingly undergoes a racial awakening of sorts, at least on the surface.
Businesses, cities and states have all been making announcements they’re making Juneteenth a paid company holiday and the number if Juneteenth celebrations and observations seem to be off the charts compared to years past. That was especially true for white people.
Juneteenth’s observation also coincides with the 99th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921, when a mob of white men killed hundreds of Blacks and left thousands homeless. The few survivors of that riot alive today are still fighting for recognition and compensation.
Aside from a Juneteenth event being held in Tulsa and headlined in part by the Rev. Al Sharpton, there were dozens of rallies and marches planned in at least 46 states and Washington, D.C., taking place beginning Friday and lasting through the weekend. Organizers have said the participants will be promoting three demands, in particular: defunding the police, investing in Black communities and the resignation of Donald Trump.
Taking all of the above into account, social media users propelled several variations of Juneteenth hashtags to the top trending topics on Twitter, with people posting pro-Black memes, gifs and regular tweets declaring their pride and/or support for being Black in America.
Scroll down and check out some of the best social media reactions to Juneteenth.
1.
For #JUNETEENTH2020:
— Jon Paul, Ed. D. ✊🏾🏳️🌈 (@DoctorJonPaul) June 19, 2020
•Hire Black people
•Pay/send money to your Black friends
•Commission Black freelancers
•Ask how you can support your Black friends
•Help Black folks network
💁🏾♂️✊🏾❤️ pic.twitter.com/RevT8WA8cH
2. Harlem U.S.A.
Source:falseThe 2018 #Juneteenth parade in Harlem. Juneteenth recognizes the day in June of 1865 when blacks in parts of the south received word that the Civil War was over and they were free from slavery. pic.twitter.com/8BYaiNvi1x
— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) June 16, 2018
3. Gotta Love ‘Black-ish’
Source:false🎵 We built this 🎵 #Juneteenth pic.twitter.com/fJYjUxIRYL
— black-ish (@blackishabc) June 19, 2018
4. Gotta Love ‘Black-ish’
Source:false🎵 We built this 🎵 #Juneteenth pic.twitter.com/fJYjUxIRYL
— black-ish (@blackishabc) June 19, 2018
5. Never Forget…
Source:false6. Never Forget…
Source:false7. All About The Power
Source:falseAnyway...
— Clarkisha Kent (@IWriteAllDay_) June 19, 2018
...Happy #Juneteenth! pic.twitter.com/NV8g6dNXxU
8. All About The Power
Source:falseAnyway...
— Clarkisha Kent (@IWriteAllDay_) June 19, 2018
...Happy #Juneteenth! pic.twitter.com/NV8g6dNXxU
9. Put Your Fists Up
Source:false10. Put Your Fists Up
Source:false11. Too Much… LOL
Source:falseHappy anniversary to Jill Stein's all-white #Juneteenth gathering. pic.twitter.com/MBFmYloqBq
— Daily Trix (@DailyTrix) June 19, 2018
12. Too Much… LOL
Source:falseHappy anniversary to Jill Stein's all-white #Juneteenth gathering. pic.twitter.com/MBFmYloqBq
— Daily Trix (@DailyTrix) June 19, 2018
13. Howard University
Source:falseHow fitting is it that the young scholars of the “Howard University Freedom School” wish everyone a Happy #Juneteenth!✊🏾
— Howard University (@HowardU) June 19, 2018
Beginning June 19, 1865, today we celebrate the emancipation of those enslaved in America. pic.twitter.com/9uRS3Yd8u1
14. Howard University
Source:falseHow fitting is it that the young scholars of the “Howard University Freedom School” wish everyone a Happy #Juneteenth!✊🏾
— Howard University (@HowardU) June 19, 2018
Beginning June 19, 1865, today we celebrate the emancipation of those enslaved in America. pic.twitter.com/9uRS3Yd8u1
15. Real Talk
Source:false153 years later and we’re still trying to get free in this country. #Juneteenth2018 #Juneteenth pic.twitter.com/iGXjTyytS2
— Jasmyne Cannick (@Jasmyne) June 19, 2018
16. Real Talk
Source:false153 years later and we’re still trying to get free in this country. #Juneteenth2018 #Juneteenth pic.twitter.com/iGXjTyytS2
— Jasmyne Cannick (@Jasmyne) June 19, 2018
17. So True…
Source:falseIt’s #Juneteenth so African teams better win all day. pic.twitter.com/Hpd3XcKKNi
— Prop (@prophiphop) June 19, 2018
18. So True…
Source:falseIt’s #Juneteenth so African teams better win all day. pic.twitter.com/Hpd3XcKKNi
— Prop (@prophiphop) June 19, 2018
19. So True…
Source:falseIt’s #Juneteenth so African teams better win all day. pic.twitter.com/Hpd3XcKKNi
— Prop (@prophiphop) June 19, 2018
20. Celebration!
Source:false21. Celebration!
Source:false22. Celebration!
Source:false23. We Approve This Message…
Source:false#Juneteenth should be a national holiday. #BlackLivesMatter https://t.co/soOyt0rfDh
— Kaniela Ing (@KanielaIng) June 19, 2018
24. We Approve This Message…
Source:false#Juneteenth should be a national holiday. #BlackLivesMatter https://t.co/soOyt0rfDh
— Kaniela Ing (@KanielaIng) June 19, 2018
25. We Approve This Message…
Source:false#Juneteenth should be a national holiday. #BlackLivesMatter https://t.co/soOyt0rfDh
— Kaniela Ing (@KanielaIng) June 19, 2018
26. This Line From Issa Always Fits
Source:falsehappy #juneteenth.
— the ana rice. (@theanarice) June 19, 2018
i love us, forreal. pic.twitter.com/aROX7X0Los
27. This Line From Issa Always Fits
Source:falsehappy #juneteenth.
— the ana rice. (@theanarice) June 19, 2018
i love us, forreal. pic.twitter.com/aROX7X0Los
28. This Line From Issa Always Fits
Source:falsehappy #juneteenth.
— the ana rice. (@theanarice) June 19, 2018
i love us, forreal. pic.twitter.com/aROX7X0Los
29.
Source:false30. Super Fresh
Source:falseToday is National Observance Day for #Juneteenth ❤️🖤💚 pic.twitter.com/zKrSkjl4LP
— UNC Charlotte NPHC (@UNCCNPHC) June 19, 2018
31. Super Fresh
Source:falseToday is National Observance Day for #Juneteenth ❤️🖤💚 pic.twitter.com/zKrSkjl4LP
— UNC Charlotte NPHC (@UNCCNPHC) June 19, 2018
32. Pure Beauty…
Source:falseWe have come far but we still have a long way to go! #HappyJuneteenth #Juneteenth pic.twitter.com/csOzEACPVZ
— Bria Perkins (@TheBriaPerkins) June 19, 2018
33.
Source:false34. Pure Beauty…
Source:falseWe have come far but we still have a long way to go! #HappyJuneteenth #Juneteenth pic.twitter.com/csOzEACPVZ
— Bria Perkins (@TheBriaPerkins) June 19, 2018
35. Always Here For Angela Davis
Source:false36. Always Here For Angela Davis
Source:false37. Always Here For Angela Davis
Source:false38. The Original Announcement
Source:falseToday in 1865, the Emancipation Proclamation is announced publicly in Galveston, freeing 250,000 enslaved Texans. #Juneteenthpic.twitter.com/JHWlcgD1Lj
— Houstorian (@Houstorian) June 19, 2018
39. The Original Announcement
Source:falseToday in 1865, the Emancipation Proclamation is announced publicly in Galveston, freeing 250,000 enslaved Texans. #Juneteenthpic.twitter.com/JHWlcgD1Lj
— Houstorian (@Houstorian) June 19, 2018
40.
Have a great day yall 🖤#JUNETEENTH2020 pic.twitter.com/5tiW75ui5m
— unapologeticallyBLACK (@nyaisha7899) June 19, 2020