Reflections on Juneteenth
As we navigate the present moment of political disruption and uncertainty, which aims to consolidate power, rescind civil rights and social progress, and obscure history, we must remember that Juneteenth embodies Frederick Douglass's assertion that "Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never has, and it never will." This holiday reminds us that freedom for enslaved Black people was a hard-fought victory, and justice for all peoples affected by oppressive systems, from chattel slavery to poverty, is an unfinished struggle.
General Order No. 3 was a legal decree issued in 1865 by U.S. Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger, enforcing the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas and freeing all remaining slaves in the state.
Today is the fourth annual nationwide recognition of Juneteenth, a day that commemorates June 19, 1865—when Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, and announced that more than 250,0000 enslaved Black people were free by executive decree, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
Juneteenth is not just Black history—it is American history. It is a day for Black Americans to celebrate the liberation and resilience of our ancestors with rest, reverence, and joy. It is also a day for all Americans to acknowledge the delay of justice for Black Americans and the gaps that can exist between the truth, the law, and what is right.
As we navigate the present moment of political disruption and uncertainty, which aims to consolidate power, rescind civil rights and social progress, and obscure history, we must remember that Juneteenth embodies Frederick Douglass's assertion that "Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never has, and it never will." This holiday reminds us that freedom for enslaved Black people was a hard-fought victory, and justice for all peoples affected by oppressive systems, from chattel slavery to poverty, is an unfinished struggle. We mark this as a day of rest as one way to fortify ourselves for our continued work in enabling justice and equity by building knowledge and skills for collective action, strategic leadership, and resilience.
We invite you to explore ways to celebrate and take action through the Juneteenth Portal, developed by the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Additional readings on Juneteenth:
What Does it Take to Advance Racial Equity?
The first step toward racial equity and liberation from structural inequity is to start right where you are.
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