Juneteenth history

Regarding “Opinion: New to Juneteenth? Know the history before you celebrate,” (June 17): In honor of Juneteenth, our firm gave Monday off, and asked that we all take a moment to consider the importance of this day while on holiday.

Being both a Texan and BOI (Born on the Island), I’ve always felt a special connection to Juneteenth and its importance to our African American Texans and friends. Juneteenth has been celebrated in Texas for over 150 years and is now celebrated nationally due to the hard work of many, including our own Houston Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, who pushed such legislation for several years. Whether today, tomorrow or whenever you next visit Galveston, there is not only a significant Texas historical marker on The Strand, but a very large mural dedicated to Gen. Granger’s announcement informing Texans that all enslaved people were free.

It took 100 years before a president from Texas, with critical support from the civil rights movement, achieved basic legal rights for all Americans with the passage of his 1964 Civil Rights Act, ending discrimination in public accommodations, the 1965 Voting Rights Act and the 1968 Fair Housing Act — all of which significantly helped curtail legal discrimination against African Americans and other fellow Americans. If you didn’t have a chance to visit Galveston this past Juneteenth weekend or soon, you can also visit the Lyndon B. Johnson monument in downtown Houston on Bagby Street at Rusk Avenue, which in part is dedicated to these accomplishments.

Charles C. Foster, Houston

Regarding “Despite push, states slow to make Juneteenth a paid holiday,” (June 15): I didn’t know that Juneteenth was a national holiday. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee is pushing a reparations bill that would fund a commission to study reparations proposals for African Americans. I have a hard time with that. The way I see it, Black Americans today never picked any cotton. And I never owned any slaves. So the thought of reparations for Black Americans is nonsense.

Carl J. Schiro, Houston

Regarding “United Airlines wants more pilots of color. Its Juneteenth event for students aims to find them,” (June 18): As a retired United Airlines captain, I am very happy to read genuine expressions of support provided by United Airlines’ Juneteenth flight, as community and corporate entities join in civility and mutual respect. I salute this effort as a real example of working together.

Rob Benson, Spring