Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in the former confederate state of Texas, June 19, 1865, where the news came two- and one-half years late, after Lincoln’s original Emancipation Proclamation in 1862. Though Juneteenth marks the day that the news reached Texas, Juneteenth is celebrated widely as the triumph for basic human rights and freedom over slavery and oppression of African Americans.
Today, we celebrate those who continue to fight for social justice for all, for civil rights, and an end to systemic racism across America. This year’s tragic killings of African Americans at the hands of police are a painful reminder that systemic racism continues to exist at all levels, and there is much more work we must do to overcome it. To do nothing is to be part of the problem and is unacceptable. We must be the change we so desperately seek. It is our hope that Juneteenth, 2020 marks the year we took decisive action as an institution, and as a nation, to end racism and injustice everywhere.
“Black lives matter.”
