June 19th, or Juneteenth, marks the day in 1865 when news that the long fight to abolish slavery reached the last emancipated people in Texas. Juneteenth came over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, due to Southern enslavers continuing to hold emancipated individuals captive.
Juneteenth became a significant day in American history because it commemorates the liberation of Black Americans. It remains a day to celebrate the progress our country has made towards Black freedom, but it also serves as a reminder that the fight to end racial violence and oppression continues today. This year, the VOLS team will be observing Juneteenth as a Day of Reflection, a day away from the office (observed on Friday, June 18) to take time and engage in self-reflective action.
Holidays are symbolic, and the public dialogue today about national symbols and historical monuments could not be more timely. It is nice to see Juneteenth get recognized as a national holiday, as it has always been a critical date in the Black community. But it is just a beginning.
As a city and country, we have a profound responsibility to acknowledge the historical and ongoing fight for Black liberation, to honor the strength of our Black colleagues, neighbors, friends, and family, and to recognize the necessary and challenging work we all must do to dismantle America’s racist systems. But real justice would be the end of racism towards Black people in America.
On July 4, we celebrate the American commitment that all people are created equal. But first on June 19, we recall that the universal promise of our country is one that not only must be fought for, but one that Black Americans have helped to advance on behalf of everyone.
None of us are free until all of us are free.
Below are articles and resources shared by the VOLS staff for our Juneteenth Day of Reflection.