Milwaukee is preparing for one of the nation's oldest and largest Juneteenth celebrations, a holiday that marks the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. But for many Americans, the full story and significance of this important day remains unknown or misunderstood.
"Number one there are many emancipation celebrations, Juneteenth is what has survived because of its significance and wide spread celebratory nature, Juneteenth kinda brings them all together," said Dr. Robert S. Smith, a Marquette University Professor of History and resident historian at the America's Black Holocaust Museum.
I met with Dr. Smith inside Milwaukee's America's Black Holocaust Museum, just blocks away from this year's Juneteenth Festival, to discuss the holiday's true meaning and importance.
"It's the celebration of America's first experiment with a racial democracy, don't wanna take away from July 4th. America's birthday is important. It is an expression of citizenship, the recognition of citizenship it is the way African Americans begin to articulate and operationalize citizenship in the 14th amendment, equal protection, due process, if you're in favor of those, then u should be celebrating Juneteenth," Smith said. (video correction - Dr. Robert S. Smith, is a Marquette University Professor of History not UWM)
Smith emphasized that Juneteenth is about more than celebration—it's an opportunity for everyone to revisit history and develop a deeper understanding of American citizenship.
When asked what white Americans who feel disconnected from the holiday should know about Juneteenth, Smith was clear about its universal significance.
"Juneteenth is central to what it means to be America, what it means to be apart of a bodied politic, what it means to be a person who can exercise political voice," Smith said.
As more Americans join in the celebration, Smith offers perspective for those who might feel disconnected from its roots.
"It brings together resistance, it brings celebration and healing it brings community into the conversation, it forces and welcomes corporations to be apart of it, it's an opportunity for our black business to be on display, it's all of that wrapped into this wonderful moment of celebration," Smith said.
On a day when thousands will fill King Drive for the festival, Smith encourages attendees to also step inside the museum. You can learn more at www.abhmuseum.org
"It learn a little more, engage with some art and welcome families to get a bit of respit from the heat," Smith said.
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