Juneteenth
This week, we recognize Juneteenth - a federal holiday marking the emancipation of the remaining enslaved Americans in Texas in 1865 (two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed). The history of emancipation in the U.S. is, as with most of our history, extremely complex and fraught. According to historian Kris Manjapra, there were 20 separate emancipations in the United States, and the goals and effects of these emancipations were not always well-meaning. In an article about the history of Black freedom, and lack thereof, in the U.S., Manjapra wrote, “As historians have long documented, emancipations did not remove all the shackles that prevented Black people from obtaining full citizenship rights. Nor did emancipations prevent states from enacting their own laws that prohibited Black people from voting or living in white neighborhoods.”
We recognize the ambivalence brought about by this history, and acknowledge that, though we have come a long way as a nation, there is still so much to do to build a truly livable future for all. The systems and structures that built and reinforced slavery are still very much alive today, and the legacy of slavery lives on in real, tangible ways. In fact, these are the same systems and structures that fuel the climate crisis. As Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson wrote in her article, I’m a black climate expert. Racism derails our efforts to save the planet, “Black Americans who are already committed to working on climate solutions still have to live in America, brutalized by institutions of the state, constantly pummeled with images, words and actions showing just us how many of our fellow citizens do not, in fact, believe that black lives matter…When you throw racism and bigotry in the mix, it becomes something near impossible.”
Black Americans have been at the forefront of social progress for centuries. Black resilience, joy, and resistance are powerful, inspiring, and worthy of celebration. And, this celebration needs to be accompanied by real, sustainable, systemic change.
For non-black folks recognizing Juneteenth, confronting our past, accepting responsibility, and committing to do better are essential. We have found the following resources to be helpful in this work:
What to Read, Watch, Listen to, and Learn from This Juneteenth - article by By Jamie Harrison and Taylor Jennings-Brown.
White People 4 Black Lives - a white anti-racist collective and activist project working to notice, call out, and challenge institutional and cultural racism.
The Fund for Reparations NOW! & National African American Reparations Commission - groups working to implement the 10-Point Reparations Plan. Action steps to support the plan here.
We stand firm in our commitment to building a livable future for all, and are grateful to all those working toward this common goal.