Subscribe
Hellobeautiful Featured Video
CLOSE
2015 Essence Music Festival - Day 3

Source: Erika Goldring / Getty

Usher Raymond took to the stage at Essence Fest Saturday and while everyone was loving those high notes he hit in “Climax,”  it was his outfit choice that intrigued us the most. As the headlining act on Independence Day, Usher had everyone’s attention, especially when we read his shirt: July Fourth was crossed out and “Juneteenth” was neatly typed below. And the leather jacket he wore on top of the T-shirt further pushed the conversation with the question, “Have we truly achieved our independence?” printed on the back.

MUST READ: In The Wake Of The Charleston Terror Attack, Juneteenth Matters More Than Ever

Check out Usher’s Bold Fashion Statement:

https://instagram.com/p/4v4kquSiT0/?taken-by=howuseeit

https://instagram.com/p/4v4eUnSiTp/?taken-by=howuseeit

As we all know, July 4th is celebrated in America as Independence Day. However, June 19th aka Juneteenth is known as Freedom Day for Black people.

Even though former president Abraham Lincoln issued a preliminary  Emancipation Proclamation in 1862, the official Emancipation Proclamation didn’t go into effect until 1863 and many slaves in the Confederate States saw no change in their daily lives. On June 18, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Texas with federal troops in tow to take possession of the state and enforce the emancipation of its slaves. The very next day, June 19th, Granger read the contents of “General Order No. 3,” which stated:

“The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.”

Usher’s bold fashion statement was definitely the first time we’ve ever seen him get so political and many of his fans were here for it. What did you think of his message?

RELATED STORIES:

Sweet Freedom: 3 Ways You Can Celebrate Juneteenth

Usher Remained Light-Hearted And Comical During Foot Surgery On Instagram
Usher Talks Girlfriend, Justin Bieber & Delayed Album

 

 

The grand return of the Melanin Awards amplifies and honors the finest Black-owned beauty brands with honest reviews, and discusses the evolution of beauty in Hip-Hop culture.