Freedom and justice have always been delayed for Black Americans.
Photo illustration by Slate. Images by James W. Watts/Henry Walker Herrick/Library Company of Philadelphia via Reuters and Michael Noble Jr./Getty Images.Juneteenth has long been observed as a day of Black liberation, commemorating the end of slavery in America. But this year, with protests about racial justice filling the streets, more people and institutions are joining in the celebration.
If you look at it that way, it’s not surprising that there’s been a resurgence of the effort to recognize Juneteenth as a national holiday, because we’re going through one of those moments now where there is a lot of political momentum for efforts to dismantle systemic discrimination. At least for the moment. The history of these things is that these moments only last for so long.
Well, I think it would be very hard to find a corporation in the United States that hasn’t had to deal with some kind of racial controversy at one point or another. I think the important thing is to remember that observing Juneteenth is not a way to, as President Barack Obama once put it, “purchase racial reconciliation on the cheap.” It’s not a way to inoculate yourself against charges of racism or abandon whatever commitment you might have to treating your employees equally and with respect.
Holidays History Racism Civil-Rights George-Floyd Race
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Celebrating Juneteenth with a new heritage walk, landmark, and progressAs the second Black mayor of New York City, I am proud to celebrate Juneteenth, a day that commemorates June 19, 1865, when every enslaved Black American was
Read more »
Juneteenth: Black Congress members from Ohio discuss progress and problems since holiday’s establishmentU.S. Reps. Joyce Beatty, Shontel Brown and Emilia Sykes reflect on their view of racial progress in the three years since Juneteenth was recognized as a federal holiday.
Read more »
Celebrate faith, freedom this Juneteenth at Galveston’s 3rd annual Emancipation CelebrationAs the church continues to be a pillar within the Black community, those in Galveston are gearing up to celebrate the Juneteenth holiday with Grammy-Award winning gospel artist Fred Hammond.
Read more »
UCLA to host first-ever Juneteenth celebration on WednesdayThe “Prelude to Juneteenth Day Celebration: A Multimedia Event” starts at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 5 inside UCLA’s Royce Hall.
Read more »
Biden hosting early Juneteenth celebration concert on White House lawnPresident Joe Biden will celebrate the Juneteenth holiday early with a concert on the White House South Lawn on Monday night. Singers Gladys Knight and Patti LaBelle will be among the performers. Biden signed a law in 2021 that made June 19, or Juneteenth, a federal holiday.
Read more »
Biden hosting early Juneteenth celebration concert on White House lawnPresident Joe Biden will celebrate the Juneteenth holiday early with a concert on the White House South Lawn on Monday night.
Read more »