President Joe Biden commemorated Juneteenth with a call to protect Black history and civil rights, warning against efforts to undermine them. During a celebration on the White House South Lawn, he highlighted ongoing struggles and pledged his administration’s support for historical integrity and equality.
In his address, Biden criticized attempts to erase Black history through book bans and attacks on diversity initiatives. He emphasized that understanding history is crucial not just for reflection but for shaping a just future. “Our history is not just about the past,” Biden told attendees. “It’s about our present and our future. It’s whether that future is a future for all of us, not just for some of us.”
Biden’s remarks were part of a concert celebrating Juneteenth, the national holiday marking the emancipation of the last enslaved people in the United States on June 19, 1865. The event drew a diverse crowd, including music artists, elected officials, civil rights leaders, and scholars, and also honored Black Music Month. Performers included Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle, and Kirk Franklin, with comedian Roy Wood Jr. serving as the emcee.
The president, who signed the legislation making Juneteenth a federal holiday in 2021, described this action as a profound moment in his presidency. “It wasn’t just a symbolic gesture,” he noted. “It was a statement of fact. It was about a statement of faith. It was a testament to the resilience of generations of Black Americans, who kept their eyes set on the nation’s North Star.”
Vice President Kamala Harris also spoke at the event, outlining the administration’s accomplishments, such as student debt relief, capping insulin prices, appointing the first Black female Supreme Court justice, and enacting gun safety legislation. She announced a national voting day of action on June 19 and emphasized the ongoing fight for equality and freedom, linking it to the spirit of Juneteenth.
The White House, reinforcing its commitment to Black history, announced several initiatives including the display of the original Emancipation Proclamation at the National Archives and new funding for educational programs on the legacy of slavery. The Education Department plans to appoint a coordinator to address book bans and assess potential violations of federal civil rights laws.
President Biden has made a point of recognizing the sacrifices of Black Americans throughout his presidency, recently designating a national monument to Emmett Till and posthumously awarding Medgar Evers the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He also honored Opal Lee, the activist whose efforts led to the establishment of Juneteenth as a national holiday, crediting her with making the holiday a reality.
Reflecting on the holiday’s significance, Biden described Juneteenth as “a day of profound weight and power,” urging continued efforts toward equality and a better future for all Americans.
