We’ve seen our usual host of Atlanta celebrations and historical events celebrating the Juneteenth holiday, which traditionally falls on June 19th and commemorates the emancipation of Black Americans.
It became a federal holiday in 2021.
But one thing that’s changed over the last few years in Georgia is a statewide ban on K-12 public schools teaching so-called “divisive concepts.” That went into effect in July of 2022 and now restricts how teachers can discuss race and racism in classrooms. That includes the idea that the United States of America is fundamentally racist.
The Georgia Department of Education does not require students to learn in-depth about the nation’s newest federal holiday.
The only mention of Juneteenth is in the Kindergarten-level U.S. History curriculum standards.
