The significance of celebrating Juneteeth

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — June 19, marks Juneteenth, a holiday recognizing the day in 1865 when more than two hundred thousand enslaved African Americans in Texas were freed, ending slavery in the United States.

Juneteenth has been celebrated in states like Texas for years, but it’s only been recognized nationally since 2021.

“Juneteenth is a celebration of our African American independence,” said Rick Cephas the president of NAACP, Lackawanna County Branch.

It’s a holiday marked with parades, cookouts, and community. But it’s only been recognized as a national holiday by the government for three years.

“It’s finally the government owning up to the atrocities of slavery,” says Cephas.

Cephas says celebrating the day locally goes a long way.

“It helps celebrate humanity. We are all from different backgrounds up here and there’s so many different celebrations and I think it’s only right that the African American community get their piece of the pie too in northeast PA,” explained Cephas.

Cephas says acknowledging Juneteenth also opens up important conversations.

“It inspires a community to recognize racial equity and also racial inequity that is apparent here in northeast PA once we get it recognized and people are able to say yes, it does happen is the time that’s when we can fix it,” stated Cephas.

For more information on the NAACP visit their website.

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