There are three flags used for Juneteenth, but one was created specifically for the holiday. It is a red, white, and blue flag that was created in 1997 by Ben Haith. On social media, a conversation has sparked about the flag and wanting to be used more in order to keep the American history of the holiday alive.
In the center of the flag is a white star to represent the Lone Star State, Texas, where Juneteenth originated in 1865, when they were finally alerted about the Emancipation Proclamation. The burst around the star represents the spread of freedom, and the horizon line between the red and blue symbolizes a new beginning for Black Americans. The colors red, white, and blue represent that those freed and their descendants are American.
Traco Matthews, similar to many other people, had not always known about the flag; however, once he saw the flag, he stated that it “made sense.”
“When I found that out, I thought, wow, that actually makes a lot of sense,” said Matthews. “Because Black history is American history, and I believe we should always keep those connections at the forefront. I love the other flags, too, and the other colors, the Pan-African colors. But, to me, it does make sense that the red, white, and blue flag should be the symbol of Black freedom in America because American freedom is also represented by the same colors.”
Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021 under President Joe Biden, so many people now have the day off from work and school. Matthews stated that it is important to keep recognizing the history of the holiday so that the true meaning never gets lost.
“So, to me, Juneteenth is the same as July 4. It’s equal in importance. It’s potentially more important for African Americans. And so, I long for the day when everyone understands that and celebrates it almost equally,” said Matthews. “Individuals, I think, can personally lean into the Juneteenth celebration, the rich traditions, all of the things that are going to happen here in Kern County. But, really, around the state and around the nation. So, I think by personally owning that celebration, that’s what makes sure it doesn’t just get relegated to the dustbin of books and history. We have to live it. Is there anything else you want to say that I didn’t touch on? No, this is one of my favorite holidays of the year.”
Another community member, Deidre Hathor, made a similar statement about Juneteenth being equivalent to July 4 because Black Americans were not free in 1776.
“So Juneteenth, for Black people, is our celebration for freedom, even though July 4 is our country’s celebration for freedom,” said Hathor.
Hathor also emphasized the importance of highlighting Opal Lee when discussing Juneteenth, given her activism that led to the holiday’s federal recognition. She is known as the grandmother of Juneteenth. According to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Lee grew up celebrating with her family in Marshall, Texas, where she was born in 1926. In 1939, on June 19, while they were celebrating, a mob burned down her home.
The museum website discusses a 2016 walk Lee took from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C., covering 2.5 miles each day in honor of the time it took for those in Galveston, Texas, to learn they were free to advocate for federal recognition.