Review: Juneteenth-- Written by Susan Schaefer

To show his level of distinguish...Fredrick Douglass' oval portrait rests in a digital in-lay of gold and silver. In a blue background is a map of the United States of that time to the left. On the right is a newspaper clipping.

Juneteenth is a short documentary that was released in honor of the new U.S. federal holiday that was established by President Biden. The documentary looks at the historical significance of Juneteenth and how it went from a local celebration in Galveston, Texas to a nationwide celebration of liberation for America's Black population. The film is keen on depicting the political situation that led up to these moments and does a tremendous job highlighting the historic tensions between Northern and Southern states, Black and White Americans; and the efforts by Black Americans in the Civil War and the Reconstruction Era.

Juneteenth is a reminder that the development of America's national identity would not have been possible without Black people and the abolitionist movement. Nor would the Union have won the Civil War if it weren't for the risks that many Black Americans took or their sacrifices they made to the cause. Abraham Lincoln's offer to bestow freedom to all Black Americans who fought on the side of Union was a calculated political and military move. As the results were delivered, the emancipation of Black Americans would also become a moral mission. It would be one that Abraham Lincoln would not live to see.

While this documentary is short it accomplishes its goals of educating audiences on the legacy of Juneteenth and how it has become a point of reckoning for the United States. It is a reminder of the promises made to Black Americans and how they upheld their end of the bargain that was struck during times of discord. It is an exploration into the legacy of slavery in the United States and the policies that followed which continued to exploit its occupants of African descent. It is also a reflection of how citizenship and freedom are intricately entwined in the context of the United States.

The short film features several interviews from activists and scholars including Opal Lee, Dr. Mary Frances Berry, and Dr. Kermit Roosevelt. It is produced by University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg Classroom and the Civics Renewal Network. You can watch the full film here.