What Texans Really Think About Juneteenth & the Legacy of Slavery

New statewide survey reveals deep divides—and surprising consensus—on race, history, and memory.

A groundbreaking new report from the Barbara Jordan Public Policy Research and Survey Center at Texas Southern University explores how Texans understand Juneteenth and view the enduring effects of slavery in American society.

Based on a representative survey of 1,200 registered Texas voters, this report offers a rare, data-driven look at how race, history, education, and partisanship shape public opinion. With Juneteenth now a federal holiday, the report arrives at a critical moment for understanding how far public knowledge—and public reckoning—has come.

• Only 25% of Texans know "a great deal" about Juneteenth

• 77% believe it's important for Americans to recognize it as a holiday

• 40% say slavery’s legacy still affects Black Americans “a great deal,” but opinions vary sharply by race, age, and political affiliation

Read the full report to see how Texans’ views break down across generations, political lines, and ethnic groups. Read the full report