Juneteenth Day.

[WillBrink]

Yes, we all know it was pandering to make it a fed holiday, and that goes without saying, but I'm not outright rejecting it due to who made it law (e.g., like some rejected HCQ because Trump recommended it). So, with that said, I'm of a mixed feeling on it. While I "get" why it's important to POC of our nation, and Liberty minded of all colors, I fear it will be used to further divide vs heal, especially in these polarized times. Note, that those who outright reject it due how much they dislike those who made law as a knee jerk response will be labelled as racists, so checkmate. Don't let them pull people into that obvious - and credit where credit is due, well played - move.

On it's surface, and the fact it's not new and has been celebrated among African Americans since it existed, etc, I'm in support. Timing and who/why it was done, not so much.

Interestingly, TX, where it all began, adopted it in 1979, so while it may seem like it came out of nowhere, that is not the case. I didn't know that about TX until reading the History article below:

https://www.history.com/news/what-is-juneteenth

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Juneteenth National Independence Day, June 19
or
Independence Day, July 4

One federal holiday to celebrate independence should be enough. Pick one.

[SomeOtherGuy]

Apart from the merits of this one holiday - just how many freaking holidays can the federal government create and observe?

Is being a federal employee an inherently part-time job now?

----------------

On a related note, this year "June is pride month." I don't remember that from prior years. Is this new, or did I somehow miss it?

https://nationaltoday.com/pride-month/

https://youth.gov/feature-article/june-lgbt-pride-month (yes, a fedgov site)

Apparently June 28 is "Pride Day." Is that also a federal holiday? If not, why not?

No bias against blacks or LGBT, but it seems like the calendar is filling up and our whole federal government is becoming distracted, trivial, and un-serious.

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Federal holidays

New Year's Day, January 1
Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., the third Monday in January
Washington's Birthday, the third Monday in February
Memorial Day, the last Monday in May
Juneteenth National Independence Day, June 19
Independence Day, July 4
Labor Day, the first Monday in September
Columbus Day, the second Monday in October
Veterans Day, November 11
Thanksgiving Day, the fourth Thursday in November
Christmas Day, December 25

[WickedWillis]

Yes, we all know it was pandering to make it a fed holiday, and that goes without saying, but I'm not outright rejecting it due to who made it law (e.g., like some rejected HCQ because Trump recommended it). So, with that said, I'm of a mixed feeling on it. While I "get" why it's important to POC of our nation, and Liberty minded of all colors, I fear it will be used to further divide vs heal, especially in these polarized times. Note, that those who outright reject it due how much they dislike those who made law as a knee jerk response will be labelled as racists, so checkmate. Don't let them pull people into that obvious - and credit where credit is due, well played - move.

On it's surface, and the fact it's not new and has been celebrated among African Americans since it existed, etc, I'm in support. Timing and who/why it was done, not so much.

Interestingly, TX, where it all began, adopted it in 1979, so while it may seem like it came out of nowhere, that is not the case. I didn't know that about TX until reading the History article below:

https://www.history.com/news/what-is-juneteenth

I think you make some really excellent points for and against.

Personally, I'm in the same boat. It should be a big deal, it should be celebrated and having it as a national holiday should hurt no one. It will probably end up weaponized by some fringe groups also. I truly only remember one occasion in high school learning about Juneteenth total.

[chuckman]

I don't have a lot of indigestion over it as a holiday. But a paid, time off holiday? With all the others?? I don't like that .gov employees get so many holidays as it is.

[Artos]

It really should be celebrated on sept 22 to honor & acknowledge Lincoln's role in nailing down freedom & not on a day the word got around.

[gunnerblue]

Two things can be true at once:

Is it pandering? Yes

Is it long overdue? Yes

[Honu]

yeah fine make it a holiday then no more BS whining about reparations etc...

and realize 370k came to north america out of 10.5 million and focus on those other 10.13 million and what happened to them !
also make sure to notice the first slave owner was black and many whites were slaves and many blacks were slave owners and again no more whining and get rid of the use of African American !!!!!

make it you are American no matter what your skin tone !

[WillBrink]

Juneteenth National Independence Day, June 19
or
Independence Day, July 4

One federal holiday to celebrate independence should be enough. Pick one.

I can understand easily why some may not feel July 4th encompass them, but as we are all citizens of this nation, should not be viewed as a separate holiday either. While there's a lot of revisionist history out there, I think it's fair to say the 4th 1776 was not exactly "independence" for anyone but us white folks for a long time to come. I tend to think this holiday actually makes more sense than MLK day in terms of historic importance and meaning, but I "get" your POV on it.

Apart from the merits of this one holiday - just how many freaking holidays can the federal government create and observe?

Is being a federal employee an inherently part-time job now?

That's a joke right?

Federal holidays

New Year's Day, January 1
Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., the third Monday in January
Washington's Birthday, the third Monday in February
Memorial Day, the last Monday in May
Juneteenth National Independence Day, June 19
Independence Day, July 4
Labor Day, the first Monday in September
Columbus Day, the second Monday in October
Veterans Day, November 11
Thanksgiving Day, the fourth Thursday in November
Christmas Day, December 25

I say drop Columbus Day and keep this new one. Of them all, Columbus Day is white washed nonsense really. While a product of his time, Dude was really kinda of an A Hole and his accomplishments overrated.

I think you make some really excellent points for and against.

Personally, I'm in the same boat. It should be a big deal, it should be celebrated and having it as a national holiday should hurt no one. It will probably end up weaponized by some fringe groups also. I truly only remember one occasion in high school learning about Juneteenth total.

And that's the crux of the (potential) issue really. I'm 60/40 in favor, and will be more in favor as time goes on if it does not turn into another weaponized polarized cluster F to divide.

Two things can be true at once:

Is it pandering? Yes

Is it long overdue? Yes

Exactly so...