August 15, 2018

USHER MAKES A BOLD STATEMENT DURING ESSENCE FESTIVAL BY ROCKING JUNETEENTH T-SHIRT

The R&B singer proved that Independence Day for him, wasn’t on July 4th.

Ê usher_juneteenth_tshirt

Usher via INSTAGRAM

On Saturday, Usher performed at the Essence Musical Festival in New Orleans, but it was what he was wearing that garnered a lot of attention. Usher, who headlined Saturday night’s show, recognized Juneteeth as his independence day, when he rocked a t-shirt with July Fourth crossed out and Juneteenth underneath it.Ê

Over the t-shirt, Usher also made another political statement on his leather jacket. The back of the jacket read, ”Have we truly achieved our independence?”

Often times, depending on who you ask, that answer is no.

Although many people celebrate July 4th as Independence Day, Juneteenth is celebrated by many people in recognition of June 19, 1865, the day the last remaining slaves in America were freed. The holiday is observed in 43 states, including Texas, where the slaves were the last to know about their freedom previously granted to them.

As people gathered at the Essence Festival, Usher not only made a bold statement, and hopefully provided a history lesson for those who might have went home and googled the meaning behind Juneteenth.

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