What do we really know about Juneteenth? In this powerful episode of Rethinking Freedom, host Aya Fubara Eneli is joined by Galveston native and historian Sam Collins III and Civil War expert Edward Cotham Jr., author of Juneteenth: The Story Behind the Celebration. Together, they explore the real history behind Juneteenth, challenge persistent myths, and examine how current U.S. politics are shaping the holiday’s meaning in 2025.
🎙️ Guests:
Sam Collins III
Edward Cotham Jr.
🔍 Topics Covered:
What Juneteenth really commemorates
General Granger’s Order No. 3 and what it actually said
Common myths vs. historical facts
The federal holiday designation and what it overlooks
The battle over how Black history is taught today
The relevance of Juneteenth in our political and cultural climate
📚 Learn More:
🔗 Edward T. Cotham Jr.
Author & Historian
🌐 Website: https://www.edcotham.com
📧 Email: ed@edcotham.com
🔗 Sam Collins III
Juneteenth Historian, Galveston Native, Public Speaker
🌐 Website: https://www.truthstrong.org/
📧 Email: sam@juneteenthlegacyproject.com
