In 2021, Juneteenth was established as a federal holiday to honor the end of slavery after the Civil War. However, despite its significance, local and state offices in Mississippi remained open.
According to Rep. Earle Banks, although more than half of the states observe the holiday, Mississippi is not one of them. However, he clarifies that this is not because there hasn’t been an effort to do so.
Banks explained that many people, including himself, had bills to die in the building where he was speaking. He emphasized the need to celebrate the progress made in Mississippi since so much of its history was based on slavery. Banks expressed frustration that those who have not experienced the same struggles do not fully comprehend the sacrifices made by their ancestors to build the state.
In 2024, there were nine bills that aimed to establish Juneteenth as a state holiday, but unfortunately, all of them failed to pass. One of the bills that Sen. Hillman Frazier supported would have substituted the Confederate Memorial Holiday with Juneteenth.
According to Senator Frazier, the Fourth of July is a widely celebrated occasion that is cherished by all Americans. However, he also believes that the Juneteenth Celebration is gaining more recognition among the public because it represents a significant day of liberation for the entire nation.
Frazier was asked what message he would like to convey to state employees who had to take a day off to commemorate the occasion.
Frazier encouraged patience and assured that help is coming. He expressed his belief that they will pass the bill eventually, but emphasized the importance of aligning everyone’s views first. He cited their experience with the Martin Luther King holiday bill, where it took some time to get everyone on the same page, but they eventually succeeded. Frazier remained optimistic and stated that they will also come together to celebrate Juneteenth.
Many cities and organizations in Mississippi have embraced the tradition of commemorating Juneteenth.
Banks emphasized the importance of comprehending the true history of Mississippi and not settling for the diluted versions that are often presented. “If you delve deep into the history of Mississippi and truly grasp its reality, then you would understand why it is essential to mark this occasion as a holiday,” he stated.
According to several lawmakers we spoke to off camera, they plan to continue submitting bills in an effort to include Juneteenth on the state holiday calendar.
