Juneteenth and the 13th Amendment

6/21/2021

Read these three articles:
What is Juneteenth?
https://history.com/news/what-is-juneteenth
Does an Exemption Clause in the 13th Amendment Still Permit Slavery? (25% of all the world's prisoners are in America)
https://www.history.com/news/13th-amendment-slavery-loophole-jim-crow-prisons
President Biden makes Juneteenth a National Holiday
www.cnn.com/2021/06/17/politics/biden-juneteenth-bill-signing/index.html
Answer:
1. Why is June 19th just as important (maybe more) as the Emancipation Proclamation? Should Juneteenth be a National Holiday? Explain.
2. Do you believe the provisions in the 13th Amendment freed African-Americans, or created a modern-day prison slave system (or both)? Explain.
3. Name an event that is personally important to you that you would like to see become a national holiday.
4. Do you agree with President Biden making Juneteenth a National Holiday? Explain why, or why not?

24 Comments

Nikolina Mancinelli

6/21/2021 11:17:39 am

1. Juneteenth marks the day, slavery was completely abolished. While the passing of the Emancipation Proclamation ended slavery, it only applied to areas of those under confederate control. Juneteenth should be a holiday, being that it was the day slavery was truly abolished.
2.The 13th amendment does both. It freed all African slaves (it is illegal to force African Americans into labor and not treating them well), but it provides and exception (that is crime is committed, punishment is acceptable), give people permission to accuse black people crime (those racist), and punish them.
3.The ending of the war between Great Britain and America. This marks the end of major war in American history and violence.
4.I agree with President Biden making Juneteenth a National Holiday, as Juneteenth marks an important event in history, of freeing of all slaves.

Nikolina Mancinelli

6/21/2021 05:28:33 pm

3. The first landing on the moon, should also be a celebrated holiday.

Steven Nguyen

6/21/2021 04:21:17 pm

1. Juneteenth is a holiday when slavery was truly abolished by the Emancipation Proclamation firstly celebrated in texas.

2. I believe the 13th Amendment did both because it freed black slaves and it is illegal to force someone into slavery unless it is for punishment for them committing a crime.

3. The ending of the revolutionary war between Great Britain and America. This was a big and important war for the Americans

4. I agree with President Biden making Juneteeth a National Holiday because it is an important time where all slaves were freed.

Elaine Chen

6/21/2021 09:27:19 pm

1. juneteenth is a holiday that honors the end of slavery from the aftermath of the Civil War, declaring that slaves were free under the terms of the 1862 Emancipation Proclamation.
2. the provisions in the 13th Amendment freed African-Americans, i say because of how many african americans are free and have their freedom within the united states.
3. not sure
4. i agree with president biden because june 19th is an important event that happened in history and marks the day of freedom for african americans

Evelyn Yulianto

6/21/2021 10:05:35 pm

1. I believe that June 19th (Juneteenth) is just as important as the Emancipation Proclamation because they both played a major role in abolishing slavery in the United States. Although the Emancipation Proclamation was issued two and a half years before the events on June 19th, they both significantly impacted our history as a country. For instance, the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Abraham Lincoln to establish that all enslaved people in Confederate states in rebellion against the Union shall be set free. This gave slaves their opportunity to free life in the United States. But in reality, the Emancipation Proclamation only applied to places under Confederate control and not to slave-holding border states or rebel areas under Union control. For example, in Texas, slavery still continued. After the war in 1865, General Granger’s arrival in Galveston, Texas that June signaled freedom for Texas’s 250,000 enslaved people. Although the emancipation proclamation began the freeing of slaves, Juneteenth marks the memorable day when slavery was officially abolished once and for all. For this reason, Juneteenth should be a National Holiday in the United States, as it marks the beginning of true freedom for all people.

2. From the way I see it, the 13th Amendment freed African-Americans, but it created a prison slave system as well. When the 13th Amendment was first created, it officially abolished slavery and freed many enslaved African Americans in the United States. Unfortunately, there was still a loophole regarding involuntary servitude, which meant that people could still be forced into servitude if they were convicted of a certain crime. Many African Americans were put to prison for offenses that were quite vague. Once again, African Americans found themselves defenseless. States then put these prisoners to work through convict-leasing, where white planters and industrialists leased prisoners to work for them. However, the prisoners were not paid at all. This meant many African American prisoners had to live and work on plantations against their will and for no pay, which is basically slavery. As you can see, although Amendment 13th freed many African Americans, slavery was somewhat still in practice through a modern-day prison slave system.

3. An event I personally want to see become a national holiday is Pride Day, which coincidentally is also in June (specifically June 28). Most people are already aware that June is known to be Pride Month. It was first created to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. It acknowledged the community and its achievements. However, the official Pride Day is on June 28. This day marks the date in history when the first pride march was led by bisexual activist Brenda Howard in New York City in 1970. It is also a day to remember the Stonewall Riots, which was when police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay club in Greenwich Village, in 1969. Both events gave birth to the gay rights movement and should be nationally recognized. I personally wish to see June 28 become a national holiday because it firstly symbolizes the importance of the LGBTQ+ community, which I believe deserves more appreciation and recognition. Most importantly, it also represents the freedom and love of our country and how our government is giving all kinds of people equal rights.

4. I definitely do agree with President Biden making Juneteenth a national holiday. By doing this action, he has united the people of America and he has shown that everyone deserves to be recognized. He has also showed the importance of the African American community because he has made June 19 a federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. He has even stated that Juneteenth should be a day of reflection and action. By declaring Juneteenth as a National Independence Day, he has proven himself to be a great president as well.

Justin Zhao

6/22/2021 08:05:32 am

1. Juneteenth is a holiday that honors the end of slavery after the Civil War. Slaves were declared free under the terms of the 1862 Emancipation Proclamation. Therefore Juneteenth is just as important as the Emancipation Proclamation because both played a major role in abolishing slavery in the US.
2. The 13th amendment freed African-Americans but it also created a prison slave system as well. When it was created it officially abolished slavery and freed many enslaved African Americans. However, there was a massive loophole regarding involuntary servitude, which mean some people who essentially become slaves after commiting a certain crime. Many African Americans were put to prison for very vague and illegitimate offenses and put to work in the fields once again. African Americans were once again powerless to stop themselves from being re-instated into the new slavery system.
3. I would like to see Pride day, June 28th, to become a national holiday because this day marks the first pride march led by bisexual activist Brenda Howard in NYC 1970. It is also a day to remember the Stonewall Riots, in which police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay club.
4. I agree with President Biden because by recognizing Juneteenth as the day African-Americans become free man. By doing this he has started taking steps to attempt to reduce racism by publicly accepting them for who they are.

Alex Tran

6/22/2021 11:35:29 am

1. Juneteenth is just as important as the Emancipation Proclamation because it was the day the government stepped in and actually ensured all slaves (within Texas) were freed. I do believe that Juneteenth should have become a national holiday, as it marked the beginning of freedom and progress for slaves in America.
2. The 13th ammendment freed African Americans and created a modern-day prison slave system. “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted,…” still permits slavery, but only in prison.
3. There is no event I can think of.
4. I do agree with President Biden. I believe that Juneteenth is a very important day.

Brigitta Julianto

6/22/2021 08:00:15 pm

1. Juneteenth day commemorating the freedom of enslaved people in the United States, held on June 19th. The holiday was first observed in Texas, where slaves were freed under the conditions of the 1862 Emancipation Proclamation on that date in 1865, following the Civil War.
2. The 13th Amendment, in my opinion, liberated African-Americans while also establishing a jail slave system. Slavery was abolished and many enslaved African Americans were emancipated in the United States thanks to the 13th Amendment. However, there remained a gap in the law about forced slavery, which meant that people might still be forced into servitude if they were accused of a felony. As a result, many African-American inmates were forced to live and labor on plantations against their choice and for no compensation, thus enslaving them.
3. I'd want to see Pride Day, which takes place in June, become a national holiday. It was created in the first place to commemorate the LGBTQ+ community. It symbolizes our nation's equality and compassion, as well as how our government provides equality to all individuals. Our society is honored on their achievements. I feel it is deserving of more attention and validation.
4. I agree with President Biden since June 19th is a significant historical occasion that commemorates African Americans' first day of independence.

Nick Li

6/22/2021 09:31:01 pm

1. I think June 19 is as important as the Emancipation Proclamation because instead of just writing a law that would stop slavery, June 19 was actually the day that slavery stopped. After the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, there was still slavery in some areas in the US, but June 19 was the day in which there was an end to slavery in the US.
2. I think the 13th amendment, both freed the African Americans and created a modern-day prison slave system. The 13th Amendment did not allow slavery for unauthorized reasons, but it did leave an exception to people who committed a crime. I think that by adding this exception, people may have taken advantage of it and accuse the African Americans of committing a crime when they may have not or for the smallest reasons.
3. I think the day where the American Revolution ended should be a holiday as that was the actual day where we became free.
4. I agree that June 19th was made as an holiday because it is a significant day of the year in where African American's are able to receive their independence and that there is a total end of slavery in the US.

Jasmine Phuong

6/22/2021 11:01:33 pm

1- June 19th is just as important as the Emancipation Proclamation because both events dealt with the freeing of slaves. Two leaders took control and fought for what they thought was right. Abraham Lincoln and the federal troops decided it was time to end slavery once and for all. I believe Juneteenth should be a national holiday because it is a day to appreciate and educate those who are not aware of what occurred during the 1860's. Without those people who decided to take a stand, our country would never have stepped out of the period of slavery.

2- I believe provisions in the 13th Amendment freed African Americans because this Amendment abolished slavery in the United States. It was illegal to trade of buy slaves in the U.S. The only one exception was a punishment for crime.

3.- One event that is personally important to me that I would like to see become a national holiday is the killing of George Floyd, representing black history month. Because of Floyd's death, our country broke out into riots and protests for their beliefs and how Floyd plus many other blacks that were unrightfully killed should be served justice.

4- Yes, I agree with President Biden on making Juneteenth a National Holiday because it should be served as a day to remember and appreciate the lives of Lincoln and the federal troops who abolished slavery. Slavery was an ongoing problem for several years and many were effected socially and economically.

Caitlin Kwok

6/22/2021 11:39:37 pm

1.Juneteenth is just as important at the emancipation proclamation because it celebrates freedom of enslaved people and marks the day that slavery ended. The emancipation proclamation did end slavery however there was still slavery in some areas of america. Which brings more significance to June 19th because that is official day where slavery is ended in all of america.
2. The 13th amendment freed enslaved people however this also allowed many african american people to be falsely accused of crimes, which led to them being put into prison. In a way this could be viewed as a new slavery system because many african americans were being targeted and forced into working on plantations which was essentially the equivalent of slavery.
3.I would like to see Pride Day to become a federal holiday as well because it will bring more attention to those in the LGBTQ+ community. By making Pride Day a Federal Holiday it will make many people feel more included and help educate those who don't know much about the LGBTQ+ community.
4.I agree with Biden making Juneteenth a federal holiday because it celebrates a significant day where slavery was officially ended.

Nicholas Ng

6/23/2021 09:19:49 am

1. Juneteenth is as important as the Emancipation Proclamation because the Emancipation Proclamation was the writing part of freeing slaves, and Juneteenth was the action part of freeing slavery.
2. I believe it did both, because it freed slaves but it could be punishment for crimes.
3. There is no event I can think of.
4. I agree with President Biden making Juneteenth a national holiday because it is a very important day that people should celebrate.

Jason Wang

6/23/2021 09:29:13 am

1. Juneteenth is as important as Emancipation Proclamation because it celebrates the freedom of enslaved people, and Juneteenth was the action of freeing slavery.
2.I believe its both because while enslaved people were freed they also got falsely accused of crimes and being put behind bars.
3. There no event that I can think of.
4.I agree with President Biden making Juneteenth a national holiday because it is a very important day that should be celebrated.

Eric Sun

6/23/2021 11:34:50 am

1. Juneteenth is just as important as the Emancipation Proclamation because of its validity. A proclamation that doesn't take full effect or is misleading is celebrated as a title. The Emancipation Proclamation only freed a number of slaves which didn't achieve what it was meant to to its fullest, which is why Juneteenth is more important. Juneteenth is the day that the slaves are actually free, which means that the celebrating of the Emancipation Proclamation is for the effort of Juneteenth. This is why Juneteenth is more important than the Emancipation Proclamation, because it isn't a title or merely a declaration, it is the actual date the slaves are free, which is worth celebrating.
2. The need for slaves and accomplishment are both present. In order to fit the idea that all men are free, the 13th amendment states that slaves are free. However, the need for labor causes the misleading interpretation of the 13th amendment, which causes it to become a cover for modern day prisoner slaves.
3. I feel that the first landing on the moon should be celebrated as a holiday, because it resembles how we are moving on. We need a time to look back at our first step towards finding the limits of being a human.
4. President Biden made the right decision. Making Juneteenth a holiday clarifies the importance of it, because it is the real day the slaves are free.

Maile Karrasch

6/23/2021 06:08:21 pm

1. Juneteenth is more important than the Emancipation Proclamation because it was when slaves were actually freed. I think that it was good that President Biden made Juneteenth a national holiday because it has always been an important part of history and it deserves to be honored.
2. I believe that the 13th amendment both freed slaves but also made them more vulnerable to stupid crimes so that people could get more free labor.
3. One day I think should be a national holiday is Pride Day which occurs on June 28th. It's important because it was the first time a pride march was held in New York.
4. I agree with President Biden making Juneteenth a national holiday because the freeing of slaves was very important and deserves to be celebrated as such.

Allyson Chan

6/23/2021 06:26:25 pm

1. The emancipation proclamation declared "that all persons held as slaves within the rebellious states are, and henceforward shall be free." Note that it only says "within rebellious states," which means slavery wasn't completely eradicated everywhere. However, on June 19th, 1865 slavery was officially abolished, which is why Juneteenth is just as important, maybe even more, as the emancipation proclamation. The emancipation proclamation started the freeing of slaves, and Juneteenth finished it.
2. The provisions in the 13th Amendment did free African-Americans because slavery is now illegal, unless it's for punishment because of a crime, like community service. However, the 13th Amendment still doesn't stop African-Americans from being falsely convicted and punished.
3. We already have a pride month, but I would like to see Pride Day be made a national holiday.
4. I agree with President Biden making Juneteenth a National Holiday because it marks an important time in history where slavery was finally abolished.

Wenhan LI

6/23/2021 08:04:23 pm

1. Although the Emancipation Proclamation did not completely ended slavery, but it shows the government's attitude in wanting to end it. June 19 is the day that slavery is totally abolished. So they're both important. Juneteenth should be a National Holiday because it's the day slaves are really free, not just people saying they're free.
2. I think it created a modern-day prison slave system because there are worse ways to accuse people of committing a crime than just punish the slaves without any reasons. Just by looking how people reacted to the Emancipation Proclamation, it's hard to believe people will change their attitude toward African Americans after the 13th Amendment is out.
3. I believed that the day when it's mandatory for all children to attend school should be set as a national holiday.
4. I agree with President Biden because it's an important event in history and is just as important as Independence Day.

Elias Yanez

6/23/2021 09:55:59 pm

1. In my opinion, Juneteenth is just as important as the Emancipation Proclamation because they are both really important in the freedom of the slaves. Juneteenth is the day that troops came to the states and made sure that all slaves had been freed and no one was keeping them in secret. I believe that Juneteenth should be a holiday because it’s a really important time in history. After all, the government made sure that all slaves could be free and live their lives.

2. I believe that it sort of did both. Although it did free African-Americans, it did end up creating a slave system in jails for prisoners. We are however in need of labor throughout places and because of this, some people might be falsely accused of crimes they did not commit or just accused of something completely random in order for them to be forced to do work.

3. I think it would be cool for Pride Day that is recognized as a national holiday.

4. I completely agree with President Biden making Juneteenth a national holiday. I think that it’s a very important date that not many people recognize. I believe that making this a national holiday gives it the respect and recognition that it truly deserves.

Anthony Porras

6/23/2021 10:23:37 pm

1.Juneteenth would be a holiday that marks the approval of Emancipation Proclamation which ended slavery.

2.Well yeah and no, cause on paper the 13 amendment and exemption clause slaves were outlawed, but if crime was committed, it would permit some form of force labor, which in other words is a lighter slavery.

3.I think memorial day needs to be extended, cause its a lot more important then most other national holidays.

4.I mean I have no opinion on it, cause the first two years, it would celebrated, then just be undermined like most other holidays.

James Young

6/23/2021 11:33:45 pm

1. June 19th is just as important as the Emancipation proclamation for many reasons. First off, it contributed to the end of slavery in the United States just like the Emancipation proclamation. Secondly, it freed many slaves that the Emancipation proclamation didn’t. This meant that the Emancipation proclamation did not free all the enslaved people in the United States instantly. Finally, Juneteenth marked the day that slavery was formally abolished. This meant that not even the Emancipation proclamation accomplished what Juneteenth did as it only started the freeing of slaves. For those reasons alone I believe that Juneteenth should be a national Holiday. Not only does it mark the day slavery was abolished, it marked when people of color finally got their freedom.

2. I believe that the provisions in the 13th Amendment freed African-Americans, and created a modern-day prison slave system. The reason why is that the 13th Amendment abolished slavery in the United States. However, that is not all that it did in fact, there was a loop hole in the amendment. The loophole was regarding involuntary servitude which is why I think the amendment created a modern-day prison slave system. This loop hole allowed states to take advantage of the incarcerated by using them for cheap labor. In my eyes I see this as another type of slavery as people of color were still being used for labor with no pay.

3. An event that is personally important to me that I would like to see become a national holiday is Pride Day. The reason being is that the LGBTQ community has been oppressed for years on end. I feel that the LGBTQ community deserves to be treated equally and have a holiday celebrating them. Furthermore, this holiday will that they are accepted in today’s society and that they should not have live in fear while being apart of the LGBTQ community.

4. Yes, I agree with President Biden in making Juneteenth a National Holiday. The reason why is that I too believe that Juneteenth is a special day. Not only does it commemorate the freeing of slaves it commemorates when people of color were closer into getting equality. Moreover, I agree that from this day Americans would be able to feel the power, learn from our past as a country, celebrate our progress, and grapple the distance we have come as a society.

Marrissa Kwok

6/23/2021 11:58:51 pm

1) I think Juneteenth is the is definitely just as important as the Emancipation Proclamation. It marks a day where slaves were recognized as people who deserved freedom like anyone else did. Unlike the Emancipation Proclamation, on June 19, there was actual action taken to free slaves. I think President Biden made a great decision to make Juneteenth a national holiday. That way, such a day can be acknowledged and educate those who don't fully understand what the purpose of Juneteenth is. Without it, our country would be in a much different state than today.

2) I think the 13th amendment did both to freed African-Americans and create a modern-day prison slave system. While it officially abolished slavery and freed many people, it also allowed many African Americans to be falsely accused of crimes. When they were accused of crimes, it would basically lead to enslavement. African Americans were often charged for vague crimes at the time, as they were often excuses to use these people for labor purposes.

3) The only day that comes to mind (from which I'd like to see become a national holiday) is Pride Day, since it's June now as well. Pride Day is specifically on June 28, known as the day when the first pride march was held by bisexual activist Brenda Howard in New York City and a day to remember the Stonewall Riots. While there is pride month, I think it would be even more meaningful to have Pride Day, since there were such historical events to remember on June 28.

4) I agree with President Biden's choice to make Juneteenth a national holiday. I think it's amazing that now we'll be able to recognize and celebrate such a day that acknowledges the freedom of slaves. It will also be a great opportunity to educate people on the historical significance of June 19th.

Michelle Duong

6/23/2021 11:59:34 pm

1. June 19th is just as important as the Emancipation Proclamation because it marks the day when federal troops ensured that ALL enslaved people to be freed. I highly support Juneteenth becoming a national holiday, because it honors the end to slavery, the day where slaves were all freed.
2. I believe the 13th Amendment has freed both African-Americans and has created a modern-day prison slave system. Many African-Americans are free from slavery to this day. But, there are still many that are being profited off for labor prison by private companies to this day which is completely unfair. Some well-known companies are still using the prison slave system today, which I believe is dreadful.
3. I would like to see a national voting day, where people can get a day off to vote.
4. I support President Biden's choice of making Juneteenth a National Holiday, because it honors the freedom for all slaves and shows recognition to many slaves that have gone through agony and torture.

kyle Cheung

6/24/2021 01:15:39 am

1. June 19 was the day federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to abolish slavery. The Emancipation Proclamation freed all slaves in places under Confederate control. They are both really important because they both played a part in abolishing slavery.
2. I believe in both, they freed the African americans from slavery but created a prison system similar to slavery. They are free but if they comit a crime they are forced to work as punishment with little to no pay.
3. I believe pride day should be a national holiday. To me the LGBTQ+ community have been treated as outcasts. A national holiday whould show they are accpeted by society.
4. I agree with Biden in making June 19 a noational holiday because it pays respect to the many slaves who have gone though a lot of tourture.

Justin Wei

6/24/2021 08:27:38 am

1: June 19th, or Juneteenth is just as important as Emancipation Proclamation because for one it was the day that slavery was abolished. Another reason was because it also celebrated the freedom of all the slaves. For these two (important) reasons, I believe that it should be a national holiday because when slavery was abolished, and how they got their freedom are both really important to me.
2: I believe the provisions in the 13th Amendment does both because the 13th Amendment stated that it abolished slavery. Also, this is a really engrossing topic because it kind of created a prison system. It meant that whoever committed a crime were forced into slavery.
3: I can't really think of an event off the top of my head.
4: I do agree with President Biden making Juneteenth a National Holiday because it was where slavery was completely abolished. I also am shocked that Biden recognized the slaves, and decided that it is the right thing to make "Juneteenth" official.

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