Juneteenth: A Resounding Call for Freedom and Equality

"[Juneteenth] is an opportunity to both look back and look ahead to make sure that the notion of freedom and the fragility of it is always protected and celebrated." – Lonnie Bunch

Juneteenth, known by various names such as Freedom Day and Emancipation Day, stands as an extraordinary, yet often overlooked, milestone in the annuals of American history. While this momentous day celebrates Black Americans' freedom, culture, and empowerment, it should also serve as a lasting reminder that freedom comes at great sacrifice and the path to liberty isn't immediate for all. The fight against slavery, oppression, racism, and discrimination continues in the U.S. and across the globe.

On June 19, 1865, Gen. Granger and his Union troops arrived to occupy Galveston, TX, bringing Order No. 3, a message of freedom, to more than 250,000 enslaved people. (Smithsonian, n.d.) The news came more than two years after President Lincoln's 1863 Emancipation Proclamation. The Union had won the war and was now devoting its time to enforcing Order No. 3 in Southern and bordering states. 

Celebrations broke out among the newly freed slaves in Texas on that hot summer day long ago, laying the foundations for future Juneteenth celebrations to commemorate the event. 

Later, slavery and involuntary servitude were formally abolished in the U.S. with the ratification of the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution on December 6, 1865 (U.S. National Archives, n.d.).

Formerly enslaved people and their descendants would make a yearly pilgrimage to Galveston in honor of June 19, and the tradition soon evolved into celebrations among Black Americans in other states. Families gathered for picnics, barbeques, music festivals, prayer services, community events, and more to commemorate the occasion, long before 1980 when Juneteenth became an official state holiday in Texas and in 2021 when President Biden signed into law a resolution passed by Congress to establish Juneteenth as a federal holiday (Encyclopedia of Britannica, 2023). Beyond U.S. borders, organizations in other countries celebrate this day to acknowledge the end of slavery and pay tribute to African Americans' rich culture and remarkable accomplishments (Encyclopedia of Britannica, 2023).

Juneteenth, however, extends far beyond that single historical event. It is a reminder of the past and a call for a better future, one where the promise of freedom is realized by every individual, regardless of race, background, or circumstances, a future where all are united in standing against and putting an end to inequality, racism, discrimination, and oppression. 

Today, June 19, let us take a moment to contemplate the immense challenges endured by unjustly enslaved people and the courageous individuals who fought for their freedom. Let us reflect on the strides we have made, acknowledging the progress achieved while remaining acutely aware of the work that lies ahead.

Our individual and collective responsibility is to uphold the values of compassion, empathy, and unity for all as we strive for a more just and equitable society.

Let Juneteenth be our call to action.

Citations

Encyclopedia of Britannica. (2023, June 16). Juneteenth: United States Holiday. Britannica. Juneteenth | History, Meaning, Flag, Importance, & Facts | Britannica

Smithsonian. (n.d.). The Historical Legacy of Juneteenth. National Museum of African American History and Culture. https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/historical-legacy-juneteenth

U.S. National Archives and Records Administration. (n.d.) 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Abolition of Slavery (1865). National Archives. https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/13th-amendment