Immigrants on Juneteenth

by philg

In a country where some people showed up only recently (see “Modern Immigration Wave Brings 59 Million to U.S., Driving Population Growth and Change Through 2065”), how many people are interested in a conflict that may have occurred years or centuries before they or their ancestors arrived in the U.S.?

I surveyed some immigrants and children of immigrants regarding Juneteeth.

A Russian-Ukrainian: I was just discussing it with another immigrant. We had no idea this day existed. We had no idea this day existed. Russia abolished serfdom around the same time. No one keeps track who descended from the serfs.

A Hungarian: We got the day off and my company sent around some interesting background material. [I couldn’t get him to explain what he found interesting about it, given that he arrived in the U.S. only a few years ago. decades after the Eisenhower-era desegregation initiatives, for example.]

Child of immigrants from India: The whole thing is stupid.

Immigrant from China: This has nothing to do with me.

Immigrant from Russia: What would happen to me if I said that I was also likely a descendant of slaves?

Immigrant from Russia, asked “What did you do for Juneteeth?”: I have a job.

Immigrant from Korea: At this rate, Americans will need more than 365 days in the calendar. Why do the gays get a whole month if the slaves get only one day?

Immigrant from Ukraine: I heard some noise from their parade a block away. Apparently black parades are allowed during covid. My company gave us a floating day for reflection this year.

Child of immigrants from India: When do regular Americans work?

Readers: What do your immigrant friends say about inheriting this old conflict?

From a February stop in Charleston, South Carolina, a plaque regarding a 1951 desegregation case.

9 thoughts on “Immigrants on Juneteenth”

  1. I’m an American with roots going back to the Mayflower and I first heard about juneteenth a couple of days ago. As for running out of workdays, no problem all the traditional American holidays are going to get canceled. Watch for the anti Fourth talking points, they will be out soon. Guessing they are going to shame people for celebrating white people rebelling. White people ain’t allowed to rebel, ain’t even allowed to think about it, much less celebrate having done so in the past. Can’t risk white people remembering how little BS they wouldn’t put up with in the not so long ago days.

  4. Most immigrants went through real difficulties, so they don’t give a fuck about people who can’t make opportunities for themselves in the richest country in the world.

  5. There is indeed a contradiction to be worked out:

    (a) The abolition of slavery was accomplished by DWEMs.

    (b) DWEMs were vile racist colonialists whose toxic legacy must be expunged.

    There is one simple and plausible way to resolve the conundrum: reintroduce slavery!

    After all, for thousands of years it’s been a routine feature of many settled, agricultural societies and in some places still is. The period since 1807 is anomalous in historical terms so isn’t it about time for a return to normality? Isn’t it pretty much inevitable as soon as the legacies of western civilization are finally done away with?

  6. I’m with GB, I’m an american and this is first year i ever heard of juneteenth (not recognized by spell check) – and I thought it was made up thing. Most of the news reports & Wikipedia emphasize that 47 states “recognize” or “celebrate” it, but if its not a day off its on par with pi day (3/14), star wars day (5/4), cinco de mayo, or the national donut day that seems to happen once a week.

    • Harry Potter Day is May 2 (see “According to the timeline in the original Harry Potter books, The Battle of Hogwarts would have taken place on 2nd May 1998 which is the date Voldemort was finally defeated.” in https://www.radiotimes.com/news/film/2020-05-01/international-harry-potter-day/ ). I wonder if that will have to be canceled now that J.K. Rowling has expressed her point of view on the transgendered horning in on the privileges reserved for victims identifying as “women”.

    • juneteenth (not recognized by spell check)

      Don’t worry – those communists in the “tech” industry will soon address that issue.

  7. how many people are interested in a conflict that may have occurred years or centuries before they or their ancestors arrived in the U.S.?

    Many American holidays commemorate events that took place long, long ago. Examples include Thanksgiving and Independence Day. Our most important holiday, in terms of spending, which is what life is all about, is Christmas, in which we celebrate a birth that occurred 2,000 years ago far away from the North American continent.

    Asking recent immigrants what they think about Juneteenth produces no useful insight at all.

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