Happy Juneteenth everyone!!!
Many (especially white) folks have only learned about Juneteenth in recent years, or perhaps only just a few days ago with the passing of the bill that made it a federal holiday.
I’ve always known about it, because it just happens to be on my birthday 😊
I should admit, though, that as a little kid, I felt like it wasn’t something that I should celebrate because it somehow didn’t apply to me as a white person. What should the celebration of the end of slavery in June 1865 in Texas have to do with me?
I’m grateful now for the recognition that Juneteenth is something we all should celebrate. Independence is only meaningful alongside our recognition of our interdependence. No one is free until we’re all free—so said Fannie Lou Hamer.
So while I’m super grateful for the birthday wishes from loved ones 🎂♥️ I’m especially grateful that today is a special day for all of us now, and especially for those of our fellow citizens that descended from folks that at one point celebrated, either on Juneteenth or another day, their newfound freedom.