John Brown and Juneteenth

It is my belief that had he lived, John Brown would have been happy to participate in the first Juneteenth Celebration and support the cause he dedicated most of his later years in life. His fight against slavery was a cause that would eventually have him labeled a domestic terrorist by the slaveholders and slave merchants. A cause that would in the end take his life, along with the lives of more than one of his sons. 

John Brown's ancestors include Peter Brown, a passenger on the Mayflower, and Captain John Brown, before him, who fought in the Revolutionary War. John Brown would follow in the footsteps of his father, Owen Brown an abolitionist, civil servant, and trustee at Oberlin College. John, himself would become a fervent anti-slavery supporter. However, while his father Owen would choose the non-violent means to support the anti-slavery cause his son John would choose the more confrontative route. One that would strike terror into the hearts of those who believed in, and supported slavery.

Juneteenth Games & Decor
by GK Designs

John Brown was viewed by the slaveholders and slave merchants as the man (a white man) who not only wanted to arm the slaves against their masters, but who also planned to fight alongside them in a battle against the institution of slavery. Few things evoked fear in a southern household more than the idea of armed slaves coming for them.

"I have only a short time to live, one death to die, and I will die fighting for this anti-slavery cause."     

John Brown

John Brown's plan to raid the armory at Harper's Ferry to arm the slaves and activate his plan was put down by U.S. Marines led by Colonel Robert E. Lee, and his lieutenant J.E.B. Stuart. Men who would later become key parts of the Confederate army, who at the time of John Brown's raid were still serving in the union arm. John Brown himself was called crazy at the time for his confrontative stance against the institution of slavery that had stood for hundreds of years. Several of his sons, as well as black and white supporters would fight and die alongside John Brown in his battle against the institution of slavery.

Quotes, Juneteenth
by GK Designs

His own home was a station on the Underground Railroad. That is why I believe that even though he didn't live long enough to witness the June 19th, 1865, and the celebration that would signal the end of slavery. Nor would John Brown experience the extra added amendments to the United States Constitution (the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments) that brought an end to slavery all over this nation I get the feeling that the Juneteenth Day Celebration would surely have been worth remembering and celebrating to John Brown.

  

"I pity the poor in bondage that have none to help them. That is why I am here, not to gratify any animosity, revenge, or vindictive spirit. It is my sympathy with the oppressed and the wronged, that are as good as you, and as precious in the sight of God. You may dispose of me easily, but this question is still to be settled. The Negro question, the end is not yet."

 

John Brown

Why Black and White People Celebrate Juneteenth

 

Why should Black and White people celebrate the Juneteenth Day Celebration?  First of all the Juneteenth Celebration is a national holiday, intended to be celebrated by the entire nation. From the information I have been able to gather the majority of American African people who celebrate Juneteenth Day Celebration do so to honor their African ancestors who fought for and eventually gained their freedom from slavery in the United States. On that day (June 19th, 1865) the ball started rolling toward the official end of slavery in this nation that the Juneteenth Day Celebration is based. Even though the first official celebration of Juneteenth happened one year later, on June 19th, 1866. Since then, and long before Juneteenth became a national holiday American African descendants have celebrated Juneteenth as the end of slavery in this nation, and to honor the African ancestors who fought for, and did not live long enough to experience the freedom American Africans enjoy today.

What reason do non-American African people have to celebrate the Juneteenth Celebration?

There were many white, and other nationalities that were against slavery during the days of slavery and many of them were willing to put their own freedom, their property, and in some cases, their lives on the line in the fight against slavery. And, while many runaway slaves chose to self-emancipate themselves, thousands of other runaway slaves were helped by the clandestine system of escape known as the Underground Railroad. Set up and maintained, in many places, by white people. While June 19th, 1865, was the day that started this nation down the road to freedom for all, the addition of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the United States Constitution, added to the news presented in the reading of General Order No.3 a year earlier, abolishing slavery throughout the entire nation.

Juneteenth Games & Decor
by GK Designs

Black and White Abolitionists knew they were involved in illegal activity and as a result neither had any misunderstanding about what would happen to them if they were caught helping a runaway slave. As far as the slaveholders and slave merchants were concerned the punishment issued by the slave chaser was usually equal for any white person, or black person caught with someone else's property. So, the news shared in Galveston back in 1865 was enough to give rise to many white abolitionists rejoicing as well. Not only because there was a victory in their fight against slavery, but also, because no longer did white abolitionist need to risk life and limb to participate in the fight against the slaveholders.

Needless to say, that because of the covert operation of the Underground Railroad during the days of slavery, when not all black people were good, and not all white people were bad, few who participated in the Underground Railroad when out of their way to document their exploits. But there was one who did take that chance, the black abolitionist Mr. William Still. Due to a per-chance meeting with a runaway slave on the street that turned out to be his own brother, William Still decided to chronicle the experience of every runaway slave he helped, with the hope of giving each a written repository whereby they might find the necessary information to reunite them with long lost family members, separated by slavery. His hidden written records would become the book titled: The Underground Railroad.

Quotes, Juneteenth
by GK Designs