Black Americans deserve a Freedom Day that truly reflects our history, rather than a commercialized celebration that benefits corporations. This should be a priority, even if we are unable to address issues such as access to education or police reform. Unfortunately, Louisville has already lost the true meaning of Juneteenth, just five years after it was recognized as a federal holiday.
The fact that the Louisville Juneteenth Festival is solely driven by profit and pictures, instead of being rooted in the genuine community spirit, is truly disappointing. The festival should be accessible to all, with no tickets, vendor fees, or corporate involvement. It would be more fitting for a Black-owned business or one that regularly collaborates with Black Louisville to host such an event, rather than the Lynn Family Stadium.
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During your next cookout, take the opportunity to ask your family when they last visited Lynn Family Stadium or played soccer. While it’s not uncommon for Black people to engage in these activities, it’s important to consider whether partnerships like these truly honor cultural traditions and engagement. By attempting to blend two communities in this way, we may be missing the opportunity to truly celebrate Juneteenth as a day of Pan-Africanism. It’s important to question whether such partnerships are truly genuine or simply a PR move.
Just as slavery was an inconvenience, don’t we deserve a Freedom Day that disrupts the work week? This year, June 19th falls on a Wednesday, yet the festival is scheduled for June 15th, which is a Saturday. It’s another example of our freedom being dependent on an external factor.
Our freedom is nonnegotiable and unwavering. That is why a Juneteenth festival, one that truly celebrates Black liberation, should be held on this day, regardless of any logistical challenges that may arise.
Juneteenth has lost its original meaning
The idea of Juneteenth being recognized as a federal and now state holiday is somewhat comical. It seems contradictory for white individuals to have a paid day off on Juneteenth, as it goes against the true meaning of the day. Instead, it highlights a disturbing pattern of America begrudgingly granting Black Americans what is rightfully theirs, but only if it benefits white America.
The ongoing struggle with housing, education, transportation, and health can be attributed to the ignorance towards racism that has been passed down through generations. To pay white people on Juneteenth is a disrespectful gesture towards every Black American and their ancestors. If these institutions truly cared about uplifting Black communities, they would take tangible steps to make a difference. This would involve investing their resources and showing their commitment beyond just words. It’s time to put their money where their mouth is.
As Black Americans, we are aware that our expectations should not be too high.
Every passing year will only make things worse. The marketing flyers will be overflowing with red and green, and new partnerships will be formed. Our shirts will have logos stamped all over them, and the media will keep churning out fluff pieces. Meanwhile, the authorities responsible for our safety and education, such as the Louisville Metro Police Department and Jefferson County Public Schools, will continue to neglect us. Our freedom will be subjected to more and more conditions, and the situation will only deteriorate further.
Juneteenth should not be exploited by white corporations to simply “partner” with Black organizations under the guise of promoting diversity. Unfortunately, like other important holidays such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Gay Pride, Juneteenth has fallen victim to racial capitalism, resulting in an increase in commercialization and a decrease in genuine impact.
