Care, conversations, and a dedication to motion. These phrases spotlight Blue Yonder’s response to ending racial injustice. We at the moment are within the month of June 2021; we keep in mind the historic day of Juneteenth celebrated on the third Saturday of this month. Juneteenth (June 19, 1865) is a really symbolic date that celebrates the emancipation of enslaved black folks within the U.S. On today, a whole lot of 1000’s of individuals have been made conscious of their freedom when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to announce the top of the Civil Conflict and issued an order to formally free them. Please take into account that the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, which implies that for greater than two and a half years slavery continued in our nation illegally.
What does Juneteenth imply to associates at Blue Yonder? A couple of share their sentiments on what Juneteenth means to them and why it’s an vital day in U.S. historical past:
“Juneteenth, in my thoughts, is named Jubilee Day! Simply simply as vital to U.S. historical past because the Fourth of July, Juneteenth is the true celebration of freedom in America as all folks have been lastly free. It’s a day to have fun Black lives, to recollect our historical past as a rustic, to study concerning the injustices that also exist, and take motion.” – Aida DeJonghe
“It’s important and needed for Juneteenth to be celebrated as a milestone in America tradition. It must have extra recognition throughout the nation, significantly in gentle of the present occasions of racism and police brutality. By celebrating, we’re acknowledging the historical past and the continued struggles in our communities at the moment.” – Jolene Hilden
“As a Black African born-American girl I’ve lived in the USA, primarily Texas, for over 25 years. I checked out life via rose-colored spectacles, not that this a foul factor, however in reference to this piece of Texas historical past – the plight of my brothers and sisters birthed from slavery in a rustic now theirs, however up to now faraway from their origin. I come from a rustic as soon as colonized. The distinction is that once we bought our independence, the colonizers left and as a rustic, we reclaimed our land, maintained our tradition, heritage and most significantly our title – a logo of 1’s true id and story. African Individuals within the U.S. didn’t have this identical ‘luxurious’ and have been forcibly ripped from their household and residential. Enslaved in captivity, their names have been stripped, tradition and heritage denied, then when freed have been presupposed to “keep on,” however how, when the taking part in area was uneven and rose tinted? Right this moment we nonetheless face the implications of a brutal historical past. Taking off the rose-colored spectacles allowed me to reckon with the scars for the primary time! Juneteenth to me means acknowledging and cementing a transparent understanding of a folks’s uncooked historical past nicely sufficient, to bridge a divide, heal, and have fun what should be, in my very humble opinion, a nationwide vacation.” – Lucy Chepkoech Tapletkoi Sum-Reber
“My household, in addition to my husband’s household didn’t have fun Juneteenth rising up. It wasn’t as a result of we didn’t wish to however fairly as a result of it wasn’t broadly taught or talked about. It’s unlucky Juneteenth hasn’t but obtained the identical glitz and glam because the 4th of July, as a result of its historic reference is simply as vital to the historical past of this nation. Nonetheless, I’m delighted to see extra visibility and schooling on this second within the African American tradition. Juneteenth means freedom and pleasure to our folks and we’ll proceed to spotlight our significance on this planet!” – Kellie Allmon-Davis
“Juneteenth must be as vital/celebrated/revered because the 4th of July. In spite of everything, it signifies the true freedom of everybody within the nation. It took 87 years after our independence from Britain to abolish slavery, and an embarrassing two extra years earlier than each individual was free. Personally, I didn’t know these information, I want I didn’t should look it up. Slavery is a darkish a part of our nation’s historical past, however that doesn’t imply we shouldn’t speak about it. Folks have been brutalized, tortured, mistreated, and deemed lower than due to the colour of their pores and skin. We should pay our respects to these and their households and have fun after they have been lastly free. In spite of everything, it’s the least we will do.” – Jessica Shilling
“What does Juneteenth imply to me? It’s each sophisticated and bittersweet. Certainly, I’m comfortable that today serves as the top of chattel slavery for Black Individuals, albeit two years put up the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, which was signed in 1863. However it’s unhappy as a result of freedom on this context nonetheless didn’t equate to equality. Think about that the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4th, 1776, 89 years previous to June 19, 1865 granting that each one males have been created equal. So, whereas Black Individuals have been certainly freed from whole possession by one other, they nonetheless weren’t equal and in a position to participate of all of the protections and freedoms assured to America’s residents till a few years later. And nonetheless, the struggle for equality and equal safety underneath the regulation wages on. Nonetheless, I acknowledge that as a primary step, you could first be free. So, on this Juneteenth, I’ll have fun my freedom and humanity whereas we proceed to persevere for freedom and equality for all.” – Leslie Martin
“Juneteenth is an important day in American historical past – one that isn’t usually talked about in our colleges right here within the U.S. It’s not solely a day that ought to be celebrated and remembered, but additionally a day to coach ourselves. We have to take a look at the systemic delay and oppression that we see echo from this time – freedom didn’t imply equal, it meant that enslaved folks have been not seen as property. As we now have seen, we have to constantly take a look at how these echoes have affected folks in all areas – from schooling, funds (redlining, and many others.), healthcare, security and justice – the record is lengthy. It’s a reminder to look deep on the distinction between equality and fairness.” – Amanda Groger