Juneteenth

I wrote this before the Charleston AME church shootings. The Black community is now in mourning. How can they celebrate their freedom when they are still being murdered in church? Now, can we, as a nation, face the reality that we have a very long way to go in our fight for justice for ALL? Read on to learn the meaning of this day and for a call to action.

If you go to Juneteenth.com, you can read the story of what is considered Independence Day for Black Americans. In this day and age of instant communication, it's hard to realize how long it took for news to travel.

"Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States.  Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19^th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. Note that this was two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation - which had become official January 1, 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation had little impact on the Texans due to the minimal number of Union troops to enforce the new Executive Order. However, with the surrender of General Lee in April of 1865, and the arrival of General Granger’s regiment,the forces were finally strong enough to influence and overcome the resistance."

We know that many did not celebrate the end of slavery. We know that forces to this day have conspired to keep Black people at a disadvantage. But, Juneteenth is a day to celebrate the beginning of freedom and to celebrate and educate. 

While it has been 152 years since Lincoln signed the document, we still have our work cut out for us in combating racism, fighting for economic justice, standing up for voting rights and many other issues facing our country. 

Working together, we can elect candidates to represent us at all levels from the school board and town council to the United States Congress and the White House. We need to take care that those whom we elect are committed to fighting for social justice and economic opportunity for all Americans.

Will you help? Find a way to get involved. Learn about candidates and issues. Be sure to register to vote. Help others get registered and informed.