Juneteenth, which has only been recognized as a federal holiday for three years, marks the moment when the last slaves learned they were finally free.

It's meant to be a celebration of the achievements in civil rights ever since. However, at a time when racist language and attitudes have infected the mainstream in ways not seen in decades, are we losing some of that progress?

"There's a lot of evidence to suggest that's the case," Kenneth King, a local historian said. "I think when we see some of the struggles over voting access, I think some of the rulings on the Supreme Court and some of the potential rulings that may come down the line, I think some of the struggles that we'd see just over race in general and how to teach history in the classrooms, those certainly are things that we cannot ignore," he said.

King believes it's all a way to put a lid on any progress made in the civil rights movement.

"I think legislators under the guise of voter protection, are creating obstacles for many to access the ballot box," King said. "I think regarding race, regarding history to teaching and how it's taught in the classroom, I think that the focus on critical race theory is really a boogeyman. It becomes a way to attack how race is being taught in the classroom, what kind of history or how history is being taught in the classroom," he said.

In recent years, white supremacist language has become far more common in mainstream politics, such as right wing media personality Charlie Kirk's use of the phrase "White Boy Summer" at a recent event featuring former president Donald Trump.

"The rhetoric coming from some sectors is very concerning, it's just out of order," King said.

King feels the future of civil rights could soon be hanging in the balance.

"I think there has to be some concern about that and will we be able to teach Juneteenth or will we continue to or when King's holiday comes around? Will we be able to teach about what led to the letter from the Birmingham jail? Will we be able to teach about Selma," King said.