Courage to Celebrate Juneteenth

Black Lives are worthy to be celebrated. In the book Lone Star Past: Memory and History in Texas it recalls a man explaining: “We was all walkin’ on golden clouds … Everybody went wild … We was free. Just like that. We was free.” The man was referring to hearing the news that slavery had been abolished, news that reached his ears and those of about 250,000 slaves living in Texas more than two years after the fact. 

The day eventually became known as Juneteenth and early celebrators called it Jubilee Day.  Now we take time to reflect and rejoice, to sit in this power so we may vigorously move forward.

Living in America in 2021 as a Black individual is no easy task. We wake up and face adversity seen and unseen. It leads to many questions – questions we often ask ourselves, or often overlook due to the penetrating forces of society. To be an activist or become involved can be challenging and exhausting. It is no surprise since it is a constant fight to wake up in America and survive. The many protests and events past and present that are black centered often become misrepresented by the media. On this day, Juneteenth, you won’t witness any rioting or looting. This here has purpose, which we hope to hold on to, attempting to hold on so we stay in purpose, to study and celebrate the culture together as a community.  We celebrate African American freedom with focus on education and achievements. Many gather for huge celebrations on June 19th and as well celebrate and support black businesses, events and artists throughout the entire month. We sing songs and dance in honor of those who paved the way for us – our ancestors who crossed treacherous seas. As well as our ancestors and activists who had the courage to fight, to create a new way, a new path. Many African Americans disregard Independence Day. Why? Because July Fourth does not have any significance to the independence of enslaved African Americans. 

It is not easy to celebrate much of anything when each morning we awake asking ourselves “Can We Live?” This was the message many of my Facebook friends posted and reshared on my feed. It was the morning after George Floyd’s family was served up the only justice America could provide – guilty. It is a justice we all knew would lose its sincerity in the wake of a hatred that is planted deep in America’s soil. We know we have not dug deeply enough in America’s soul for any true healing to blanket our tired communities. At almost the same time as we received the GUILTY verdict, a police officer fired his gun and murdered a 15-year-old girl named Ma’Khia Bryant in cold blood because she had a knife. She was not even worth the time to attempt to de-escalate the situation in which she felt she needed a weapon to protect herself. 

Are we really free? 
Why are we celebrating?
Will our compliance be enough to ensure we make it home?

Dr. Ibram Xolani Kendi wrote an article in the Atlantic explaining that our compliance will not save us. I agree, because in the past and present it never has been enough. There always will be work to do, and sadly the work is not even ours. However, we cannot sit and wait with the current state of African Americans losing their lives over deep institutionalized racism. 

Last year Delegate Joshua Cole, D-Fredericksburg, proposed a bill recognizing Juneteenth. However, it was during a press conference with celebrity and Virginia native Pharrell Williams that Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam decided to announce it would be recognized as a state holiday. Great move on the governor’s part. The bigger issues loom, though – police brutality, injustices and inequalities we as African Americans continue to face.  

The real change takes place off camera. While many people will have a day off to celebrate this statewide holiday it must be our hope and actions that individually we take the steps to keep the wheels of social justice turning that will lead to police reform, equity and respect of Black Lives. It is one’s sole decision to change their own priorities on the issue of discrimination. 

In 2021 many forms of celebration remain uncertain at this time due to COVID-19.  However, find the courage to celebrate how far we have come – small and large – as a community or individually. And honor us and the power we always have had by sharing our true stories. While in 1865 our people were not aware of their freedom, in 2021 we live with tainted and limited freedom. We are aware of the changes and shifts that must occur. Let us take all strides forward and not backward. The reward to come will one day be worth it. If not for us, then for our children.