One may not know this, judging by this weekend’s Juneteenth displays, messages, logos, and celebrations, but over 600,000 white American men died in the Civil War to end the institution of slavery in the United States — an institution that was started in Africa, by African tribal chieftains and African empire kings. Just as heroically, 40,000 American black men died in the same war to end slavery. Black troops, most famously those in the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, heroically gave their lives fighting to preserve the U.S. and to end slavery. And their sacrifices in the fight to end slavery are what Juneteenth, or Freedom Day, honors.
So, why does the U.S. flag seem to be missing from Juneteenth festivities and celebrations?
Juneteenth is a uniquely American holiday. It was fought by Americans to free Americans. Yet, despite its American roots, all imagery and patriotic displays associated with this American holiday omit the U.S. flag and its colors. A quick perusal of Juneteenth logos, merchandise, signs, banners, decorations, and other festive imagery last Friday and over the weekend is missing one significant thing: the U.S. flag. Instead of red, white, and blue, Juneteenth imagery features red, black, yellow, and green — hues that have nothing to do with America. Instead, those colors are linked to Pan-Africanism.
But Pan-Africanism didn’t end slavery. The United States of America did.
Pan-Africans, or their disciples, didn’t fight in a bloody civil war, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of men, to end slavery. Americans did. The omission of red, white, and blue for celebrations of Juneteenth should be considered ignorant and wildly offensive. Instead, it’s indicative of the divisive denigration of contemporary liberals, Democrats, and others on the Left. It’s also reflective of their shame and disdain for their own country, even as the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary.
Detractors are likely to make up some excuse for this lack of patriotism and cultural and ideological slight by saying it was the colors of the red, white, and blue that enslaved black people in the first place. This is true. However, it is also true that it was people from the continent of Africa, all over Africa, the continent that Pan-Africanism celebrates, who sold black Africans into bondage in the first place. Africans were the ones who created and initiated African slavery. Africans were the ones who attacked, raided, pillaged, and kidnapped each other and sold them to Europeans.
So, why are they celebrated, but the U.S. is denigrated? The answer is simple: today’s political Left. No one hates, vilifies, demonizes, or disparages the U.S. more than the left-wing elected officials who reap the privilege, power, cash, prestige, and benefits of the U.S. Their intent to implant division, discord, and hate throughout American society through radical indoctrination has created a perpetually aggrieved class within the country that uses slavery, an institution that ended over 160 years ago, as its fuel and catalyst.
It is these kinds of antics, hate, and division, such as this, which cause people to reject Juneteenth, not want it as part of American culture, or think it is a foolish and made-up day to celebrate to appease black Americans who subscribe to the perpetually aggrieved class. While many would argue with how Juneteenth gained prominence and its placement as a federal holiday (through the George Floyd protests, which had nothing to do with slavery), most people would probably celebrate it if it is portrayed for what it rightly is: another example of America’s commitment to liberty, freedom, and equality.
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And while some, especially many on the Left, would likely disagree with me, by once again referencing — and dwelling on — the existence of slavery in U.S. history, these detractors should be regularly and repeatedly reminded that it was the U.S. that fought to end slavery. Whereas, in Africa, they practiced slavery centuries before Europeans set foot on the continent, hundreds of years before the U.S. was established. Furthermore, if the sin of slavery is as unforgivable as left-wingers like to say it is, they should be reminded that historical records show that by 1850, there were significantly more African slaves in Africa than in the U.S.
Moreover, slavery continues in Africa today. So much for Pan-Africanism, no?
Juneteenth is an American holiday, and it should be recognized as such. To think otherwise is a revision of history to placate radical left-wing ideologues who hate this country. Replace the red, black, yellow, and green with the colors of the country that sacrificed its sons to end slavery, not honor a continent that started it, enabled it, and continues to reap the benefits of it.