Seattle, WA (The Seattle Medium) I strongly oppose the proposed Washington State Bill 1016, and I strongly oppose the passage of Ordinance 19209 by the Metropolitan King County Council, both designed to designate Juneteenth as a state holiday. To date, 46 States have approved June 19 as a paid or legal state holiday. No problem. The issue is the historical reason used to justify their efforts to remember. Many have stated that June 19, 1865 ended slavery in America, which is historically speaking, grossly wrong. The State of Washington in their proposed legislation of Bill 1016 stands as a perfect example: “…The legislature intends to designate Juneteenth as a state legal holiday to celebrate the end of chattel slavery.” In addition, the language of King County Ordinance 19209 also uses similar language to justify the mis-educated belief that Juneteenth is an historically appropriate day to celebrate the end of chattel slavery.
The Misrepresentation Of Juneteenth
Seattle, WA (The Seattle Medium) I strongly oppose the proposed Washington State Bill 1016, and I strongly oppose the passage of Ordinance 19209 by the Metropolitan King County Council, both designed to designate Juneteenth as a state holiday. To date, 46 States have approved June 19 as a paid or legal state holiday. No problem. The issue is the historical reason used to justify their efforts to remember. Many have stated that June 19, 1865 ended slavery in America, which is historically speaking, grossly wrong. The State of Washington in their proposed legislation of Bill 1016 stands as a perfect example: “…The legislature intends to designate Juneteenth as a state legal holiday to celebrate the end of chattel slavery.” In addition, the language of King County Ordinance 19209 also uses similar language to justify the mis-educated belief that Juneteenth is an historically appropriate day to celebrate the end of chattel slavery.