Hi all –
June 19th was long considered just another ordinary day for many Americans – until last year when cries for racial justice felt louder than ever.
June 19th is NOT an ordinary day. And it hasn’t been for over 155 years.
June 19th is:
- Jubilee Day and Liberation Day
- Emancipation Day and Freedom Day
- And now, it’s our newest federal holiday
June 19th, 1865 was the day that African American slaves in Texas were finally informed of their freedom – 2+ months after the end of the Civil War, more than 2 years after President Lincoln abolished slavery through the Emancipation Proclamation, and more than 88 years after July 4th was declared Independence Day in America.
It doesn’t take me saying so to realize that we still have a tremendous amount of work to do.
What does “the work” look like? Have more courageous conversations. Ask yourself more tough questions. Learn the past that our revisionist history texts left out.
Juneteenth is – and always should be – a day of celebration, reflection, and action.
How are you honoring Juneteenth this year? And how will you commit to being a more informed and racially conscious person each and every day? Text me at +1-212-380-1036 to let me know.
– DC