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'Jimmy Kimmel Live!': Pharrell Williams urges Americans to push local representatives to make Juneteenth holiday

Pharrell said growing up he never understood the importance of Juneteenth because the schools didn't teach him about it

After urging the Virginia governor to declare Juneteenth as an official state holiday, Pharrell Williams has plans to spread it across the country. The 'Happy' singer recently appeared on 'Jimmy Kimmel' Live!' show, where he sat down with the talk show host to discuss the Juneteenth day. 

He began by explaining how he was "happy" and feeling great about bringing about the huge change in Virginia, after the governor announced that the singer's home state would be given a paid leave to all the state employees on Juneteenth. Juneteenth, a portmanteau word coined by combining June and nineteenth, is celebrated every year to mark the emancipation of the slaves across the USA, and the enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation. 

Pharrell went on to explain how growing up he never made the connection or understood the importance of Juneteenth because the schools didn't teach him about it. But once he realized how important and significant the day is, he wants the entire country to understand the same and acknowledge it.

He cited the example of July 4. The entire country proudly celebrates the holiday to mark the independence from the British monarchy. But points out how not everybody got their freedom on July 4. Native Americans, blacks and other minorities were yet to be freed. According to the singer, Juneteenth is to the blacks and other minorities what July 4 is to the Americans. Pharrell urged everybody to actively take a stance to make Juneteenth a national holiday to celebrate the freedom of blacks and cherish the eventful moment in history, just the way July 4 is celebrated. Pharrell urged everybody to reach out to their local representative and demand for Juneteenth to be made into a national holiday. 

Jimmy then asked whether there were any particular customs surrounding Juneteenth day. Pharrell revealed how there is a cookout, followed by festivities like singing and dancing amongst the community. Following the death of George Floyd, the Black Lives Matter Movement has been at the forefront. With people protesting against the police brutality several black people are subjected to, and openly discussing racism and injustice meted out against them, Juneteenth celebration in 2020 will be more important than ever.