It’s Juneteenth, mi gente. As of this week, Juneteenth is now a federal holiday, meaning many federal employees will be off. While it’s certainly a significant milestone, folks have rightfully pointed out that while some non-Black folks may get the day off, many Black people across industries won’t get the privilege of having a paid day off to honor the day.
Educator Shea Weslsey Martin (@sheathescholar on Twitter) has an idea. And we think it should apply to anyone who has the privilege to donate:
There’s no time like this weekend to have our money and actions do the talking.
Here is a reintroduction to Juneteenth, which did NOT end slavery for all: 156 years ago, Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger, who had fought for the Union, led soldiers to Galveston, Texas, to deliver a message: the Union had won the war, and it could now enforce the end of slavery. It’s important to note that enslaved black people in Texas still WERE NOT free, even after that day.
At the time 250,000 slaves were not freed immediately, or soon. Slave owners didn’t give up free labor and some even refused to release slaves. Per NPR:
“It was a perilous time for black people, and some former slaves who were freed or attempted to get free were attacked and killed.”
And so on this day, it’s more important than ever to recognize the work that needs to be done, the leaning in from ally communities but to also advocate for policy changes that need to happen.
It’s also critical to put our money where our mouths are. If you have the privilege of doing so to donate to organizations from within the community also advancing justice for the Black community. Here’s a starter list of orgs to donate to:
