By Sommers Smith
Juneteenth is a day for African-American/Black communities to boast, rejoice and yell it loud. We’re Black and We’re Proud!
Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom. It commemorates the ending of slavery in the United States on June 19th, 1865 after the union troops declared 250,000 enslaved black people free in Galveston Bay, Texas. The now national holiday is inspiring to many African-American and Black communities but some see the recognition of the day as a sense of false freedom.
Although Juneteenth has passed, the representation of that day should be prevalent in our everyday lives but it’s not. We need that same attention when young men of color are dying and being arrested. We need that same love when our communities need access to food and health resources. We need that same celebration when African-American/Black events and programs need sponsors and funding.
Garry Porter, Administrative Director of the African Diaspora Mental Health Association said, “ I just don’t know that we should be celebrating and if we are celebrating, what are we celebrating? Here’s an example: When we celebrate a holiday like Juneteenth, what are we saying to ourselves and our family members and to our children? Are we sending a clear message? Are people of color receiving equitable treatment?
“If so, why is our unemployment higher than any other race? Why are our children attending a school system that does not incorporate diverse backgrounds? Why are so many people of color struggling to live in dilapidated housing? Why do we have to prepare our sons to beg the police not to shoot”?, he continued.
The Reconstruction period that followed Emancipation Day between 1865 to 1877, earmarked a time of faith, struggle and strength. After slavery “ended” enslaved people were left to pick up 400 years of broken pieces, searching for family members, creating educational opportunities, pushing for political representation and legislation changes to fight the oppression of racism and segregation. However, it seems we are still in the reconstruction period in the year 2021.
Juneteenth is now a national and federal holiday but what is that doing for the continued racial hate, discrimination and deaths of people of color. Making Juneteenth a federal holiday only makes politicians feel good about themselves, while we still scream for police reform and equal representation in educational classrooms.
Porter said, “The first thing is I think that we need to understand that we’re all leaders within our community and that every leader, those of us who are of color, should be careful about who we ask to represent us.”
He continued, “I think once we find somebody that’s really willing to represent us, then we can sit down with that person and ask them to represent our interests. For example, people of color are in need of employment opportunities, proper education, stable housing, and protection from the police.”
When it comes to mental health our communities often suffer in silence dealing with systemic racism and discrimination. Sometimes holidays like Juneteenth are a reminder that we are being fooled for just a day, and that can be counterproductive to the momentum our communities have gained in this race for equality.
“Well, Juneteenth can cause a person to have a false sense of reality. The message behind Juneteenth is that we are truly free. I think any lie as it relates to our freedom has a negative impact on our mental health,” said Porter.
He continued, “So, here’s an example: When we have people that present with mental health issues because of issues of racism, they are made to believe that they are over exaggerating. They are made to believe that they are delusional. This is a classic case of gas lighting. Let me ask you a question. When people are presenting, for instance how would George Floyd or Breonna Taylor feel about June 19th?”
Our city shouldn’t only see and love us during Black History Month, Martin Luther King Day and Juneteenth; we need that same love and recognition everyday. The new age bondage of our people is within the lack of institutional and systemic resources.
We can’t become complacent because our freedom is beyond physical chains now and we all as leaders are responsible for keeping systemic chains broken by not staying silent and breaking down barriers set to see us fail. Keep rising up because there is still so much to do.
