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Today is the federal holiday of Juneteenth -- a celebration of Black freedom and joy across the US. 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 (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:
Climate is a racial justice issue.
Student debt is a racial justice issue.
Abortion is a racial justice issue.
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.
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Black And Forth.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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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