[econjack]

What a load of pandering-for-votes crap.

[bwest]

A day off?

[Vendome]

How many holidays do we need?

You have MLK and February

[plain talk]

Never heard of it until a week ago or so. Probably more “holidays” to come.

[joshua c]

Will Juneteenth sales be racist?

Commercials would be a mine field.

[shelterguy]

“”””””””June 19, also known as “Juneteenth,” is a day celebrated for the final liberation of black slaves in Galveston, Texas.”””””””

Thanks to Republicans, in case they were wondering.

[bwest]

Until the Trump Tulsa kerfuffle, no one outside of Texas had ever even heard of Juneteenth. Nor had most within Texas, blacks included.

[Vendome]

“Every year we celebrate July 4th, Independence Day … but that freedom we celebrate did not include everyone...”

That is wholly inteue...

Why National Suffrage Day, since women weren’t whole until the 19th Amendment?

That is what July 4th is for.

These United States have always been at work to improve the human condition and as society’s evolved anachronistic ideas were cast aside, enabling inclusion and integration for all

No juneteenth

[jmaroneps37]

Was Coonman in Black Face when they made the announcement. Northam would probably think it would get him some street cred.

[ConservativeStatement]

Columbus Day and Thanksgiving will be outlawed eventually.

[Skywise]

Not 14 days and suddenly we have a new holiday across the US for black people. (My company now gives it as a day off as of last week)

But then I’m it sure what this holiday is for because slavery never happened in the US nor did a civil war right?

Or did Tim Kaine jump too far in the narrative by saying America was always racist and supported slavery until 2008?

[Ann Archy]

The WORLD IS LAUGHING THEIR ASSES OFF and PLANNING to DESTROY us si ce we are so Fing STUPID an d WEAK!

[loveliberty2]

Northam is either ignorant of the history he cites, or he deliberately misstates that history in order to promote his own political agenda directed at only a portion of the electorate he represents.

Ohio State Senator and A.M.E. Bishop Benjamin W. Arnett, outstanding scholar, Legislator, and Black Minister, who lived through the period of the Civil War and delivered a most outstanding Centennial Sermon, at St. Paul Church in Norwalk, Ohio, by invitation, in honor of the 100th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, in which he traced the history of nations and that of America, from it's inception and up to the Year of the Centennial of its Declaration.

In that Sermon, Dr. Arnett issued a grave warning of what might happen to America if a group, including academics who then self-described as "Liberals," (now "Progressives") had its way. Excerpts follow:

"The Danger to our Country.

"Now that our national glory and grandeur is principally derived from the position the fathers took on the great questions of right and wrong, and the career of this nation has been unparalleled in the history of the past, now there are those who are demanding the tearing down the strength of our national fabric. They may not intend to tear it down, but just as sure as they have their way, just that sure will they undermine our superstructure and cause the greatest calamity of the age. What are the demands of this party of men? Just look at it and examine it for yourselves, and see if you are willing that they shall have their way; or will you still assist in keeping the ship of state in the hands of the same crew and run her by the old gospel chart! But ye men who think there is no danger listen to the demands of the Liberals as they choose to call themselves:

"'Organize! Liberals of America! The hour for action has arrived. The cause of freedom calls upon us to combine our strength, our zeal, our efforts. These are The Demands of Liberalism:

"'1. We demand that churches and other ecclesiastical property shall no longer be exempt from just taxation.

"'2. We demand that the employment of chaplains in Congress, in State Legislatures, in the navy and militia, and in prisons, asylums, and all other institutions supported by public money, shall be discontinued.

"'3. We demand that all public appropriations for sectarian educational and charitable institutions shall cease.

"'4. We demand that all religious services now sustained by the government shall be abolished; and especially that the use of the Bible in the public schools, whether ostensibly as a text-book or avowedly as a book of religious worship, shall be prohibited.

"'5. We demand that the appointment, by the President of the United States or by the Governors of the various States, of all religious festivals and fasts shall wholly cease.

"'6. We demand that the judicial oath in the courts and in all other departments of the government shall be abolished, and that simple affirmation under the pains and penalties of perjury shall be established in its stead.

"'7. We demand that all laws directly or indirectly enforcing the observance of Sunday as the Sabbath shall be repealed.

"'8. We demand that all laws looking to the enforcement of “Christian” morality shall be abrogated, and that all laws shall be conformed to the requirements of natural morality, equal rights, and impartial liberty.

"'9. We demand that not only in the Constitution of the United States and of the several States, but also in the practical administration of the same, no privilege or advantage shall be conceded to Christianity or any other special religion; that our entire political system shall be founded and administered on a purely secular basis; and that whatever changes shall prove necessary to this end shall be consistently, unflinchingly, and promptly made.'

"'Let us boldly and with high purpose meet the duty of the hour.'

In another section of the lengthy discourse, Bishop Arnett addressed the topic of "The Greatness of America," as follows:

"Let us see what it is that makes us so great; wherein lies our strength. What has made us one of the greatest powers of the earth, politically and intellectually? Have we come to the conclusion that it is Righteousness that exalteth a nation? We have met to-day at the request of the President of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant, and also the Governor of our beloved State, Rutherford B. Hayes. For what? Why call us from our homes? Why come to the house of God? Why not go to the hall of mirth and to the places of amusement to-day? No that is not what they want us to do. We are commanded to go to our 'several places of worship, and there offer up thanks to Kind Providence which has brought our nation through the scenes of another year, and blessed the land with peace, plenty and prosperity.' Then as Americans we have reason to rejoice and congratulate ourselves on the greatness of our beloved country; at this the close of the first hundred years of experimental government of the people, by the people, and for the people. To be a citizen of this vast country is something, and to share in its privileges and duties is more than something." - Dr. Benjamin W. Arnett, 1876 "Centennial Thanksgiving Sermon" -

CENTENNIAL Thanksgiving Sermon, DELIVERED BY REV. B. W. ARNETT, B. D., AT ST. PAUL A. M. E. CHURCH, URBANA, OHIO 1876 - available in the "Library of Congress - Historical Collections" - "African-American Pamphlets from the Daniel A. P. Murray Collection," 1820-1920; American Memory, Washington, DC.

This historical treasure is one which should be prominent in our national discussions, especially now, when our philosophical foundations are being challenged, and when the views of a learned man like Dr. Arnett might shed light on centuries-old ideas about America's history. His theme: Righteousness Exalteth a Nation, but Sin is a Reproach to any People."

"Withdraw from Christendom the Bible, the Church with its sacraments and ministry, and Christian morality and hopes, and aspirations for time and eternity; repeal all the laws that are founded in the Christian Scriptures; remove the Christian humanities in the form of hospitals and asylums, and reformatories and institutions of mercy utterly unknown to unchristian countries; destroy the literature, the culture, the institutions of learning, the art, the refinement, the place of woman in her home and in society, which owe their origin and power to Christianity; blot out all faith in Divine Providence, love, and righteousness; turn back every believer in Christ to his former state; remove all thought or hope of the forgiveness of sins by a just but gracious God; erase the name of Christ from every register it sanctifies—in a word annihilate all the legitimate and logical effects of Christianity in Christendom—just accomplish in fact what multitudes of gifted and learned minds are wishing and trying to accomplish by their science, philosophy, and criticism, and what multitudes of the common people desire and seek, and not only would all progress toward and unto perfection cease, but not one of the shining lights of infidelity would shine much longer. Yes, the bitterest enemies of this holy and blessed religion, owe their ability to be enemies to its sacred revelations - to the inspiration and sublimity of that faith which reflects its glories on their hostile natures. They live in the strength of that which they would destroy. They are raised to their seats of opportunity and power by the grace of Him they would crucify afresh; and is it to be thought that they are stronger than that which gives them strength? Can it be supposed that a religion which civilizes and subdues, and elevates and blesses will succumb to the enmities it may arouse and quicken in its onward march? Are we to tremble for the ark of God when God is its upholder, and protector, and preserver?” - Dr. Benjaming W. Arnett, St. Paul A.M.E. Church, Urbana, Ohio, Centennial Thanksgiving Sermon, November 1876

Dr. Arnett, an A.M.E. Minister and Ohio State Legislator, was invited to publish this remarkable sermon commemorating the Centennial of the Declaration of Independence by the following method:

To:

Rev. B. W. ARNETT, B. D.

Dear Pastor:

Will you please prepare your “Centennial Thanksgiving Sermon” for publication: together with whatever matter pertaining to the colored people of this city, you deem worth preserving.

We make this request of you, believing that the publication of such matter, will be of benefit to the present and succeeding generations.

Yours Respectfully,

J GAITER
J. DEMPCY
C. L, GANT
Trustees W. A. STILGASS, W. O. BOWLES

Urbana, O.

December 7th, 1876

J GAITER, J. DEMPCY, C. L, GANT

Trustees W. A. STILGASS, W. O. BOWLES

[Phil DiBasquette]

Surprised he didn’t call it Coonteenth

[mjustice]

Juneteenth was an “unofficial” black holiday with some folks in the Texas-Alabama corridor. For most it was nothing more than recognition. Once again, don’t buy into the media hype.

[Sarah Barracuda]

Was Northam wearing his white hood during the meeting, or was it black face..Im thinking it was the hood

[ProtectOurFreedom]

This whole "Juneteenth" thing is utterly ridiculous and pure pandering to ignorant people.

The following candidate dates that should be celebrated as a holiday celebrating the freeing of the slaves:

1. Juneteenth. It only celebrates the fact that slaves in one state heard about the Emancipation Proclamation 2-1/2 years too late. That was a result of the powers in Texas not wanting to convey that news to the slaves in Texas. So we would actually be celebrating the fact that the people in power successfully hid the emancipation from the Texas slaves for 2-1/2 years. What sort of achievement is that?
2. President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation of January 1, 1863 said that all slaves in the states currently engaged in rebellion against the Union “shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free.” The document applied only to enslaved people in the Confederacy, and not to those in the border states that remained loyal to the Union. It was the key document that led to the freeing of slaves in non-border slave states, but, more importantly, it led to the 14th Amendment.
3. The Civil Rights Act of 1866 guaranteed citizenship without regard to race, color, or previous condition of slavery or involuntary servitude. The bill also guaranteed equal benefits and access to the law, a direct assault on the Black Codes passed by many post-war states. Democrat Andrew Johnson vetoed it on March 27, 1866. Three weeks later, Johnson's veto was overridden by the Republican Congress and the measure became law.
4. The Fourteenth Amendment. A concurrent resolution requesting the President to transmit the proposal to the executives of the several states was passed by both houses of Congress on June 18, 1866. It was ratified by the states and on July 28, 1868 Secretary Seward issued his official proclamation certifying the adoption of the Fourteenth Amendment.
5. President Lincoln's Birthday. Out of the entire melange of dates above, the one that stands out above all the others is Lincoln's Birthday.

Perhaps we should have a national holiday celebrating the achievements of the Great Emancipator rather than a pandering state holiday passed in the heat of the inflamed passions of the moment that celebrates an almost insignificant non-event.

How about we have a national holiday to celebrate President Abraham Lincoln's birthday which led to the ending of slavery?

[AppyPappy]

Hey, it’s a day off

Juneteenth is actually celebrated here. I never heard of it until I moved here to Appalachia from a large city in the South but it is more of a big thing in areas where there are fewer African Americans. There’s food, music, games and politicians. It’s a heritage thing and heritage things are big in the hills.

[CincyRichieRich]

Republicans are too stupid; could have put out a useful bit of history, taken it and ran with it.

[Mr Rogers]

Who in the HECK has EVER celebrated “Juneteenth”? ANYONE!