The reason I decided to start this blog was to share my journey towards living more ethically + sustainably. That choice was made because I learned that there are an estimated 40 million people still enslaved around the world.
It’s 2020.
We are still fighting against slavery + racism in 2020.
And today is Juneteenth.
I realize it’s been a while since I’ve sat in the classroom as a student, but I don’t ever recall learning anything about Juneteenth. So, if you are anything like me I chose to educate myself on what Juneteenth is + why it’s celebrated.
What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth, the combination of the words June + nineteen, was the day in 1865 when Major General Gordon Granger issued General Order Number 3 to inform the people of Texas that slavery was now illegal + all those enslaved were now free.
While President Lincoln had already given the Emancipation Proclamation two + half years prior, the realization that news moved slow to + through Texas was made. Hence why Major General Granger rallied his troops + made the trip to Texas. During the time between the Emancipation Proclamation + General Order Number 3, lots of people moved their plantations + people to Texas in an effort to remove themselves from the control of the Union.
These people were pronounced as free, yet they were still enslaved.
Because of what Major General Granger informed Texans of, those who were enslaved began to celebrate + a year later an official celebration was born. However, Texas did not recognize Juneteenth, or Jubilee Day, as an official holiday until 1980.
Juneteenth Today
The celebration of Juneteenth still occurs today + still looks like the celebrations from the past. The celebrations include music, food, family gatherings, picnics, + dancing. The celebrations also include guest speakers, prayer services, as well as educational + religious services. Cultural dress also plays an important role in Juneteenth celebrations as those enslaved were relegated to wearing scraps of fabric from the plantation owners clothing.
Why is this important?
Juneteenth marks another time in our country’s history where we attempted to end slavery. While it did in fact end legal slavery in the 1860’s + after, it didn’t end slavery completely. Millions of men, women, + children are still enslaved today. While we need to celebrate the momentousness of what Juneteenth commemorates, we also need to keep fighting for those still enslaved.
We fight by using our voices, our platforms, our money. We sign + start petitions. We purchase from companies with Fair Trade + Certified B Corp certifications. We educate ourselves on the issue of human trafficking, what it looks like, what all it entails. We stop purchasing + partaking of porn. We follow accounts on social media. We donate to organizations actively on the front lines.
It is possible to hold the joy of what Juneteenth is, yet also hold the grief of the reality that human trafficking + slavery still exist. The question becomes, what will you do to help fight?
Sources:
https://www.pbs.org/wnet/african-americans-many-rivers-to-cross/history/what-is-juneteenth/
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Juneteenth
Savvy + Sustainable 