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To our Black Indivisibles -- Happy Juneteenth!!
To our non-Black Indivisibles,
Today is the federal holiday of Juneteenth -- a celebration of Black
freedom and joy across the United States. A little over two years ago,
President Biden signed a bill acknowledging Juneteenth as an official
federal holiday, marking a significant moment in history.
But Juneteenth has a long history dating back to June 19, 1865, the day
that Union troops entered Galveston, Texas, and the final official seat of
slavery in the US was liberated -- two and a half years after the
Emancipation Proclamation that we so often celebrate ([ [link removed] ]learn more about
it here).
Juneteenth serves as a yearly reminder for Black people in the US that
despite gaining freedom on paper, the fight for true equality and justice
persists. It also offers a chance to celebrate the many accomplishments
and joys we have been able to achieve despite the injustices of our
society (more on that below).
Many non-Black people across the country are getting this day off and may
see it as just another federal holiday -- a free day to celebrate and
relax however you see fit. The Indivisible offices are also closed today
(this email was written at the end of last week, don’t worry). We’re
hoping that you will join us in a few things. The first is reflecting on
the many lingering effects of slavery in America, including our ongoing
need to fight, every day, against our own socially-conditioned racist
impulses and the festering impact of white supremacy.
Because the fights listed above don’t just belong to Black Americans.
Their ends are contingent upon eliminating some of the very privileges
American society has held dear since the first enslaved African stepped
foot on American soil. To break this generational cycle of oppression, the
rest of the country -- including our Indivisible community -- must step up
to eradicate the systems that uphold oppression.
To do so, we must be cognizant of these systems -- not solely when we’re
working on a goal that is specific to racial justice, but in all aspects
of our activism:
[ [link removed] ]Climate is a racial justice issue.
[ [link removed] ]Student debt is a racial justice issue.
[ [link removed] ]Abortion is a racial justice issue.
[ [link removed] ]Gun violence is a racial justice issue.
We must center, uplift, and learn from our most marginalized communities.
And, on this Juneteenth, we must specifically do so from the Black
community. Let’s use this day to think about how we can recommit ourselves
to that fight.
Many of us have fallen off in the three years since the George Floyd
protests galvanized the American people to look at their own complicity.
Now is a time to renew our commitment to racial justice.
We can each take the first step in showing our dedication to the fight for
equality by making a modest $10 donation to support these organizations
that tirelessly combat racial inequalities across various spheres.
* [ [link removed] ]Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective (BEAM)
* [ [link removed] ]The Movement for Black Lives
* [ [link removed] ]In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice
Agenda
* [ [link removed] ]National Black Justice Coalition
* [ [link removed] ]BYP100
Once you’ve donated, consider reading these articles uplifting Black
excellence -- because it’s important to remember that Juneteenth is about
celebrating Black freedom and the achievements Black people have made in
spite of societal oppression:
* [ [link removed] ]The Best Things to Happen to Black People in 2023 (So Far). Invest
in Black joy. If there is one thing Indivisibles should take away from
Juneteenth, it is that Black joy is beautiful, infectious, and
abundant. In the face of so much injustice, Black Americans have
managed to continually thrive and excel. These images, these icons,
these ideas matter.
* [ [link removed] ]HBCUs Lead Nation In Black Baccalaureates Who Later Earn Doctoral
Degrees. It can be easy to fall into the trap of seeing negative
outcomes in Black education. Black schools are often under-funded and
over-populated, leading to less opportunity for structured learning.
But success at HBCUs reminds us that when Black people are supported
in educational environments, we thrive.
* [ [link removed] ]A one stop shop of Black-owned businesses. The DC area is now home
to a strip mall made of entirely Black-owned businesses. When Angel
Gregorio opened her new spice shop, she invited others to join her,
ultimately transforming a 7,500 square foot space into a one-stop-shop
for local Black-owned businesses, called [ [link removed] ]Black And Forth.
* [ [link removed] ]Black homeownership is up. Our country has done all that it can to
prevent Black people from owning land. From redlining, to predatory
loans, to outright bulldozing Black neighborhoods, America has time
and again worked to prevent Black home-ownership. And yet Black people
continue to carve out spaces, working toward the American dream.
* [ [link removed] ]Breaking Barriers: Why Black Entrepreneurship Is On The
Rise. “Post pandemic…The number of new Black business owners has risen
38%, and 17% of Black women are either in the process of launching or
already running a new business.” Even coming out of one of the worst
economic downturns in American history, Black people continue to rise
from the ashes stronger.
* [ [link removed] ]Black People Who Hike receives $120k grant to take Black St.
Louisans to national parks. Due in part to segregation, the Great
Migration, and lingering fears of racism, Black people have
congregated in cities, often missing out on the wealth of beautiful
nature that exists in this country. Black People Who Hike is working
to change that dynamic, reconnecting Black people to the land we all
owe our lives to.
* [ [link removed] ]The Black-Led Environmental Movement. Speaking of reconnecting to
nature, the climate crisis is coming for all of us and the movement
toward a sustainable future is not led solely by progressive white
Americans. Black people are carving out their own space to push our
country toward a greener future.
Juneteenth reminds us that freedom does not come from the stroke of a pen.
It comes from the ongoing and tireless efforts of people who refuse to
give up in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. In celebrating this
day, we recommit to working towards true freedom for all Black people in
this country while actively celebrating, and making space to cultivate,
Black joy. Join us.
Happy Juneteenth Indivisibles. Let’s get to work.
In solidarity,
Indivisible Team
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