‘Mad or nah?’: Philly residents react to Juneteenth being named a federal holiday
Tamara Russell, aka P.O.C., hit the streets of Philadelphia to garner reactions to the news that Juneteenth is America’s newest federal holiday.
Listen 4:36
The Positive Movement Entertainment drill team leads a protest through West Philadelphia on Juneteenth in 2020. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)
In 1983, then-President Ronald Reagan signed into law a federal statute declaring the third Monday in January as Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
More than 30 years later, America has finally added another commemorative day to its ranks: Juneteenth, a federal holiday celebrated on June 19 that marks the end of slavery in the U.S.
The news of President Joe Biden signing the bill into law was met with widespread celebration, particularly in African American communities.
Related Content
New Harriet Tubman Museum opens in Cape May on Juneteenth
The museum tells the story not only of Tubman’s ties to the Jersey Shore resort town, but also its once-vibrant African American community.
3 years ago
But some expressed cynicism, suggesting the federal government was using the new holiday to distract Black Americans from the lack of progress on national voting rights and police reform.
Tamara Russell, aka P.O.C., hit the streets of Philadelphia to hear how residents were reacting to the news of America’s newest federal holiday.
Get daily updates from WHYY News!
WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.
Part of the series
Mad or nah?
‘Mad or Nah?’ is an original woman-on-the-street interview series from Revive Radio that asks Philadelphians about issues impacting their everyday life.
Part of the series
N.I.C.E. Stories
Collaborative journalism from WHYY and our partners in the News & Information Community Exchange (N.I.C.E.) initiative.
Haddonfield, N.J., is a borough in South Jersey with a small Black population, but one that dates back to the 1700s, historians say.
10 months ago
The story behind Juneteenth and how it became a federal holiday
Here is a look at the origins of Juneteenth, how it became a federal holiday, and more about its history.
10 months ago
Opal Lee, ‘Grandmother of Juneteenth,’ raises the holiday flag in Philly
Opal Lee, 96, of Fort Worth, Texas, came to Philadelphia to mark the federal holiday she is credited with creating.
11 months ago