In Modern Slavery, Sad Echoes Of Juneteenth

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By: The Root Staff

This weekend throughout the South, African Americans will gather at festivals, picnics and other events to observe Juneteenth, a celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. The term "Juneteenth" comes from the date June 19, 1865, when enslaved Africans in Galveston, Texas, found out that they were free a full 2½ years after the Emancipation Proclamation became official.

For 30 long months, the enslaved Texans continued to toil, unaware that technically they were free to stop and pursue their destinies. Their official status as free Americans meant nothing until Juneteenth came around.

Unfortunately, for millions of people around the world -- and thousands in the United States -- their official status as free people means nothing. That's because in various forms, the involuntary servitude of human beings -- slavery -- still exists. CONTINUE....