Celebrating Juneteenth and Persevering with to Work in Solidarity for Racial Justice, Equality, and Fairness
June 19 — often known as Juneteenth, or the nation’s second Independence Day — commemorates the top of slavery in Texas, and due to this fact the nation, a full two and a half years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.
Juneteenth marks the date in 1865 when Union troopers, led by Main Common Gordon Granger, landed in Galveston, Texas, with information that the warfare was over and slavery had been abolished. You’ll be able to learn extra about this exceptional occasion on PBS.org’s web site right here.
For greater than 150 years, communities throughout the nation and in components of Mexico have fought for and noticed this vacation. As we speak, and every single day, America’s Charities celebrates and honors the work of Black activists via the ages. Our places of work are closed on June 29, 2023, to commemorate their efforts.
Juneteenth shouldn’t be confused with Emancipation Day. Per Nationwide Geographic, “Simply as Juneteenth initially celebrated freedom in Texas, Emancipation Day particularly marks the day when President Lincoln freed some 3,000 enslaved folks in Washington, D.C.—a full eight months earlier than the Emancipation Proclamation and almost three years earlier than these in Texas could be freed.”
Tons of of years of enslavement inflicted deliberate terror and injustice on African People – and in lots of, very actual methods, the combat shouldn’t be over. The disproportionate influence COVID-19 has had on folks of colour, together with the #BlackLivesMatter that took root in 2020 upon the continuing violent deaths of Black People, have made it clear that we have now an extended method to go in ending racism, racist violence, and addressing the inequities that also exist in the present day.
Fixing these inequities won’t occur in a single day, however it’s critical that we proceed to protest injustice, defend those that combat in opposition to oppression, assist the vital work to systemically change racist insurance policies, constructions, and rhetoric, and spend money on Black life and Black futures. Collectively, we should start the method of repairing and restoring as a nation. Nonprofits have been working to just do that for a while. This Juneteenth, we ask you to assist these charities that proceed to push for racial justice, equality, and fairness. Click on beneath to be taught how one can become involved as a person or via your organization.
Charities to Assist:
There are quite a few organizations devoted to such reforms, together with the high-impact nonprofits beneath who we’re proud to name our members. We encourage you to assist our members that combat for fairness, equality, development, social justice, work to finish racism, and supply authorized counsel by donating to attempt for a greater world:
How Companies Can Get Concerned:
More and more, the crucial for employers to behave as brokers of optimistic change has develop into obvious. What isn’t so apparent is how employers ought to go about doing this. The excellent news is many corporations are already well-positioned to offer their workers with an outlet for his or her activism in a means that additionally aligns with the corporate’s core values. This text outlines key parts of such initiatives and the way companies is usually a drive for good in an period of worker activism. Learn extra right here.
