Richelle Hofer

A lot of businesses (including my own) announced on social media that they are closed for the Juneteenth holiday. Many of those posts had quite a bit of “engagement” … people responding with the laughing emoji and comments about how ridiculous it is. Some called it political.

And honestly, that makes me sad.

I’m a fifth-generation South Dakotan. All of my great-great-grandfathers homesteaded here before South Dakota even became a state—back when it was still the Dakota Territory. My family’s American roots go back to 1640. I have direct-line ancestors who fought in every single war this country has ever fought.

So when I say I love this country—I mean it.

But if we’re going to celebrate freedom, then let’s be honest: initially that freedom wasn’t for everyone. It left out millions of people—people who were enslaved, silenced, or seen as less than human.

It took almost 90 more years for slavery to be abolished. And even then, it wasn’t until June 19, 1865—two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation—that the final group of enslaved Americans were told they were free.

That’s what Juneteenth is. It’s not a replacement for July 4th. It’s the completion of it.

A Different Kind of Pride

Juneteenth doesn’t erase anything about our country’s legacy. It doesn’t diminish the sacrifices that were made. In should add to our pride.

Because it reminds me that America is a work in progress—a nation that didn’t get it all right at first, but kept fighting to get better.

And that’s worth celebrating.

It’s Not a “Black Holiday”

I know Juneteenth might not feel like it’s “ours” out here in small-town, mostly-white America. But I’d gently challenge that idea. Juneteenth isn’t about division. It’s about completion—about finishing what we started when we declared that “all men are created equal.” It’s not a “Black holiday.” It’s an American holiday.

If we’re a country that celebrates when some of us got free, why wouldn’t we rejoice in the day we all did?

You don’t have to throw a parade or bake a cake. But maybe take a moment this Juneteenth to reflect. Read a little. Talk about it at the dinner table. Let it remind you how far we’ve come—and how far we still want to go.

Because if we really love freedom, this day belongs to all of us.