Juneteenth is now an official federal holiday in the United States. And starting this year, Fearey is observing the day as a time to honor and reflect on our past while reminding us of our incredible capacity to heal as people while emerging from our darkest moments as a society with purpose and resolve.
Last year, President Joseph R. Biden Jr. signed a proclamation that consecrated the day as the nation’s newest federal holiday. In this he proclaimed that…
“On June 19, 1865 — nearly nine decades after our Nation’s founding, and more than 2 years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation — enslaved Americans in Galveston, Texas, finally received word that they were free from bondage. As those who were formerly enslaved were recognized for the first time as citizens, Black Americans came to commemorate Juneteenth with celebrations across the country, building new lives and a new tradition that we honor today. In its celebration of freedom, Juneteenth is a day that should be recognized by all Americans. And that is why I am proud to have consecrated Juneteenth as our newest national holiday.
On Juneteenth, we recommit ourselves to the work of equity, equality, and justice. And, we celebrate the centuries of struggle, courage, and hope that have brought us to this time of progress and possibility. That work has been led throughout our history by abolitionists and educators, civil rights advocates and lawyers, courageous activists and trade unionists, public officials, and everyday Americans who have helped make real the ideals of our founding documents for all.”
Fearey team members are encouraged to take the day to learn, act or reflect on the end of slavery in the U.S. and find even more meaningful ways that we can continue the fight for racial equality.
Juneteenth not only commemorates the past. It calls us to action today.
We have a lot of work to do in the days, months and years ahead.
To help our team and our local community reflect together on Juneteenth, here are several resources to assist in your own learning and growth:
National Museum of African American History & Culture
Through a number of events and displays NMAAHC will walk you through the richness of African American culture including songs, photos, stories, and more. CLICK HERE FOR MORE
Yale University
Yale provides a deeper dive into Juneteenth through a selection of food, podcasts, lectures, and a stark look at the racial wealth gap with Senator Cory Booker. CLICK HERE FOR MORE
New York Public Library
The way we move forward is by instilling a sense of community and compassion in the future generations. In this round up you will find a curation of books to introduce the Juneteenth stories and traditions to the youngest readers. CLICK HERE FOR MORE
The Juneteenth Foundation
This foundation was created to build a movement towards recognizing Juneteenth as a crucial part of American history. The excellence of Black culture can be seen everywhere we go and is showcased especially well during the Juneteenth Foundation Freedom Festival. CLICK HERE FOR MORE
The future is waiting, and it is not patient. We look forward to a brighter tomorrow, today and every day.