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Like many South Americans, I came to the United States with a superficial understanding of its racial history. I knew that there had been slaves brought from Africa and that Abraham Lincoln had freed them, and I considered it a solved problem. However, when I first heard about Juneteenth, it seemed like a strange celebration, possibly of African Americans who couldn’t forget the slavery of their ancestors. But my curiosity led me to further investigate the meaning of Juneteenth, and I was greatly surprised.
Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19, commemorates the day in 1865 when the last slaves in Galveston, Texas, learned of their liberation, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed in 1863. This late news marked the true end of slavery in the United States. However, what I learned is that the abolition of slavery was only the beginning of a long, arduous fight for equality and justice.
Oppression and discrimination did not end with the freeing of the slaves. In fact, it took on new forms. The Reconstruction era, which followed the Civil War, saw some temporary gains for African Americans, but these were quickly reversed with the rise of Jim Crow laws in the late 19th century. These laws instituted racial segregation and denied African Americans access to education, the right to vote, and equal economic and employment opportunities.
For decades, segregation and discrimination were the norm. Access to mortgage loans and the ability to purchase a home in certain areas were systematically denied to African Americans, a practice known as “redlining.” In the workplace, opportunities were limited and they were often paid less than their white counterparts for the same work.
It must even be recognized that many religious organizations, instead of siding with the oppressed, actively supported slavery, using the Bible and religion to perpetuate the oppressive system. Most Christian religious denominations, including the Southern Baptist Convention and the Methodist Episcopal Church, justified slavery and racial segregation with theological arguments, contributing to the perpetuation of racial injustice. Among the few exceptions are the Quakers who always remained in opposition.
It took the intervention of the federal government to begin dismantling these structures of oppression. The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s, led by figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., led to the passage of crucial laws such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. These Laws prohibited segregation and racial discrimination, and guaranteed the right to vote for all citizens.
Despite these legislative advances, the fight for racial equality is far from over. Systemic discrimination and structural racism continue to plague African American communities. Recent movements such as Black Lives Matter underscore that racial injustice remains a reality and that society must continue working to achieve true equality.
Juneteenth is not only a celebration of the emancipation of slaves, but also a reminder of the continuing fight for racial justice. It is a day to reflect on the history of oppression and the struggles that African American communities have faced and continue to face. It is an opportunity to educate ourselves, recognize the mistakes of the past and commit to building a more just and equal future.
As I learned more about the complex and painful history of racial discrimination in the United States, I realized the profound importance of Juneteenth. This day not only celebrates freedom, but also reminds us of the responsibility to work together to ensure that all individuals, regardless of race, have equal opportunities and are treated with dignity and respect.
If you want to delve deeper into the history of Juneteenth, I recommend consulting the following sources:
The National Juneteenth Museum
The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
The Library of Congress
The Equal Justice Initiative