As the Nation Celebrates, Juneteenth Is Still Not Recognized in Florida

At the same time, Gov. Ron DeSantis and state Republicans continue to oppose teaching schoolchildren how racism persists to this day.

Juneteenth National Independence Day, an annual holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved Black people, has been recognized in various parts of the US since 1865.

But not in Florida. That is because a bill designating Juneteenth Day as a legal paid holiday for employees of all branches and agencies of state government, died in Governmental Oversight and Accountability on Monday, March 14, 2022, at exactly 1:02 p.m. in the Florida House of Representatives.

However, Florida still has a Confederate Memorial Day on April 26, meant to honor those who fought and died in the Civil War. Some other states in the South also celebrate this holiday.

A Partisan Issue

This has drawn strong rebuke from state Democrats like Sen. Lauren Book (D-Plantation), who in 2021 filed legislation to eliminate Confederate Memorial Day, as well as two other Confederate holidays in the state: birthdays of Confederate General Robert E. Lee on Jan. 19, and Confederate President Jefferson Davis on June 3.

Still, while Confederate holidays remain recognized in the GOP-controlled state, Gov. Ron DeSantis and state Republicans continue to oppose teaching schoolchildren that systemic racism was part of this nation’s founding, that it historically impacted all levels of society, and that it continues to negatively affect people of color.

RELATED: Florida Rejects 54 Math Books Claiming Critical Race Theory 

“As a State, we must underscore diversity and undercut tributes to Confederacy, which upheld the institution of slavery,” Book said.

With that in mind, and to celebrate freedom and Black culture, Juneteenth Day is celebrated across the US with parades, barbecues, competitions for “Miss Juneteenth,” rodeos, races, and block parties.

Last year, President Joe Biden officially recognized Juneteenth National Independence Day as a federal holiday before an audience that included scores of members of Congress and Opal Lee, a 94-year-old Texas woman who campaigned for the holiday.

“This day doesn’t just celebrate the past. It calls for action today,” Biden said. A sentiment echoed by Book. “With the hate and divisiveness, we’re seeing today, it is more important than ever to condemn racism and reaffirm that we are indeed ‘one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all’ — not just for some.”