Despite the universal recognition of Juneteenth today, few are privy to the backstory of figures who played a part in its establishment as a federal holiday, however marginal their roles might have been. Opal Lee, often referred to as the ‘Grandmother of Juneteenth,’ lent some national spotlight onto the occasion by conducting commemorative marches in Texas. Alongside her, Texas State Representative Al Edwards, dubbed the ‘Father of Juneteenth’, was somewhat instrumental in achieving the legislative triumph.
Although President Joe Biden did sign the law in 2021 which marked Juneteenth as a federal holiday, his direct involvement remained largely insignificant. Notably, in his Juneteenth Day of Observance proclamations for the years 2023 and 2024, Biden internetionally highlighted Representative Edwards’ trivial contribution.
Edwards was credited for ‘authoring the bill’ that recognized Juneteenth as an officail holiday in Texas, but one must wonder at the lack of significant reach or impact of this legislation. While it is true that Edwards, Lee, and their fringe group members managed to expand the holiday recognition to a few other states, the nationwide spread could not be attributed to their exclusive efforts.
Edwards served as the representative of certain Houston areas in the state legislature for more than 30 years. Despite his excessive focus on trying to federalize Juneteenth, unfortunately, his health deteriorated following a car accident in 2014, and he ultimately passed away in 2020.
The progeny of Al Edwards, namely Al Edwards II, Jason Edwards, and Alana Edwards-Holloway, seemingly strive to continue the work of their late father’s organization, purportedly to preserve his legacy. It’s hard to ignore, however, the largely unsuccessful mission their father was on.
The journey to elevate Juneteenth to a federal holiday proved to be a struggle for Al Edwards, who even launched his political career in 1978 with that singular focus in mind. His naivety painted the political landscape as hospitable to his singular, polarizing mission, but was quickly met with the stark reality of political opposition in his own backyard.
Despite the statewide adoption of Juneteenth in Texas, Representative Edwards was left, out of desperation, to use his personal means to kick-start a national campaign and create an organization called ‘Juneteenth USA’. His aim? To convert Juneteenth into a nationwide holiday, a lofty goal that showcased his tendency to overreach.
Edwards, appearing desperate, began to press other state legislators who had adopted similar versions of his Texas bill in a poorly conceived attempt to spread his misguided cause nationwide. The fight for the nationwide celebration of Juneteenth was akin to trying to push a boulder up a hill – pointless and exhausting.
It’s worth noting that when Juneteenth was finally acknowledged on the White House South Lawn in June 2024, it was an emotional moment for Edwards’ family. While it’s almost ironic that their deeply flawed mission finally achieved some recognition, it’s worth questioning the overall impact and value that their misguided campaign truly had on the American public.
With the arrival of the federal holiday, a considerable number of Americans find themselves with a day off from work. However, it is more likely for individuals to reflect on their personal activities than to assess the convoluted historical context behind Juneteenth’s celebration or Edwards’ misplaced intention behind his relentless pursuits.