Juneteenth 2020 is like no other. This is the year of 20/20 vision, where new insight and changes are coming hard and fast. Of course, the first Juneteenth celebrated in 1865 cannot compare. That year the slaves learn for the first time that they were free. This information had been kept from them by slave masters for two years so one can imagine how they felt when they learned that they were finally free. Happy and also angry? We are not sure how they celebrated but I think they probably didn't know exactly what to do as this new reality set in. We know that for many the first thing on their mind was to look for family. So Juneteenth has always been a time of bringing family and friends together. This was a time of healing, of thanking God and praying, and finally being able to share their love with their family. There probably was also a lot of anger, and a hope for justice. Freedom meant something different to everyone, some packed up to leave and some stayed. After emancipation there were stories of newly freed slaves moving across the nation, building new families and creating new communities. While the significance of the first Juneteenth will always be etched in our minds, this Juneteenth is also one to remember. Today new alliance are being formed and new truths revealed. Change is in the air and there is no turning back.
Every year Juneteenth is celebrated not because Black people have enjoyed the fruits of freedom but because they are resilient and determined in spite of racism, financial hardships and the inability to achieve the American dream. Black people celebrate their survival. This is their way of being resilient and carrying on. They celebrate their culture, their music, food, dance and traditions. Most important they celebrate that they are still here despite the fact America has never lived up to the true freedom promised in the Emancipation Proclamation.
Juneteenth Google Doodle by Black woman artist Loveis Wise with music by producer Elijah Jamal.
