Juneteenth – A Day of Rejoicing!

As the world struggles to get back on the road to freedom and equality, there is a special day that helps remind us what the struggle is all about. It is Juneteenth - a reminder of how freedom is a divine gift that no one is to be deprived of. Unfortunately, the fight for freedom is still ongoing – this is why it is important to flip the pages of the history book and remind ourselves of how leaders such as Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr. fought for true freedom and equality.

Juneteenth, a combined term for June 19th, was the day when Union General Gordon Granger and his troops arrived bearing good news to the black community in 1965. His message to the city of Galveston, Texas, was loud and clear – the Civil War had finally come to an end and the enslaved African Americans were free at last.  This day is also referred to as Freedom Day, Jubilee day, and Emancipation Day among others. In addition, it also falls near the summer solstice i.e. June 21st which is the longest day of the year. This has often been symbolic of how the sun at its zenith seeks to defy social ills by replacing the shadow of slavery and inequality with hope and prosperity.

In 2021, this day was declared a federal holiday to celebrate freedom and the beauty of the African American culture. People all across the country celebrate this day in many ways. From organizing parades, holding local charity events and festivals, to even serving foods that are red (food traditionally served and eaten on this was red as it symbolizes spiritual power in the African culture), is what you are sure to expect to this day.

Here are some of the ways you can spend Juneteenth with your loved ones:

•Read up on the history of our country and remember the heroes who stood their ground in the face of injustice and slavery
•Help those in need by donating to shelter homes and orphanages
•Volunteer at local charity events and festivals being organized to celebrate Juneteenth
•Learn about the African American culture
•Raise awareness about the true meaning of Juneteenth. Share the right information and speak to those around you about how they feel about the inequality and injustice around them
•Support local Black-owned businesses
•Speak up against injustice and inequality

Juneteenth has a special place in the hearts of those who have faced injustice and inequality. But, there need not be room for others to feel this way anymore. By standing up against injustice and inequality, a free and equal society can come into being. And, you can help by being a part of the journey.

If you wish to learn more about the struggles of our heroes and how they helped create opportunities for justice and peace to prevail, Youth With A Future offers workshops and mentorship programs to young and passionate individuals who wish to see a free world in the future. Become a part of the journey today!