By Joshua Edmon, M.A.
I am excited that North Central University is marking Juneteenth as a staff holiday this year. In the past few years, we have seen an uptick in people and organizations setting aside time to recognize Juneteenth—a day to remember and celebrate the emancipation of Black people from slavery in the United States.
Also known as “Freedom Day,” Juneteenth marks the end of slavery and the beginning of a long journey toward complete emancipation in America for African Americans. Embracing this holiday has shed more light on the resilience and courage of Black people and serves as a reminder that freedom from slavery can and should be everyone’s lived reality.
Delayed freedom
For centuries Black people were placed on ships, came through the middle passage, and arrived in America to the terrifying, inhumane institution called slavery. Many of my ancestors were abused, beaten, or lynched—people created in the image of God consistently treated as less than human. For centuries we fought, prayed, cried, and advocated to be free from the barbaric institution of slavery. The work of many of my matriarchs and patriarchs was not in vain. In fact, in 1863, during the American Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that more than three million enslaved people living in the Confederate states were now free. Unfortunately, this pivotal proclamation did not reach Texas until federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people were free. When these enslaved people heard the news of their liberation, they celebrated with prayer, song, and dance.
Juneteenth is an important day not only in Black history but in American history as well. It represents a quest for freedom for Black people in this country. The truth of the matter is this: I probably would not have been able to write this blog post if it wasn’t for this day in our nation’s history. You see, enslaved people were not allowed to read and write here in America, with laws in many states prohibiting the teaching of reading and writing—and severe consequences for those who broke those laws.
We celebrate Juneteenth to remember the arrival of freedom for enslaved people: Freedom to read and write. Freedom to speak up and out for the cause of human flourishing. Freedom to dream of a better world for generations to come. Juneteenth is truly a day to celebrate freedom.
Celebration and lament
On June 19, 1866, the first official Juneteenth was celebrated in Texas. This day was filled with prayer services, barbecues, music. After that, Juneteenth celebrations began to permeate the country as the newly freed Black people moved throughout the nation. But it took another 130 years before Texas became the first state to make Juneteenth an official state holiday. While only six states have declared Juneteenth as an official state holiday, all but three states recognize Juneteenth in some fashion.
It is heartening to see and hear of the many events planned across the country to celebrate this great day of freedom for enslaved people. I will celebrate this day by thanking God for how far we have come and lamenting the pain, injustice, and division we still see in our world.
The Bible calls us to “rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15). On this important day, I want to implore my brothers and sisters who are not Black to join the Black community in celebrating freedom with us. However, I want to encourage you to lament with us, as we still have many things to grieve over in our country.
Finally, I encourage you to learn more about this amazing day, participate in celebrations, and become an ally in the continued work of making this beautiful country a place of liberty and justice for all. Freedom came with a price. May we never forget the many lives lost, the many tears cried, and the many prayers prayed to bring our nation to Juneteenth—a day of freedom!
Joshua Edmon, M.A., is Associate Vice President of Spiritual Life/Dean of Multicultural Engagement at North Central University. He also serves as the co-chair of NCU’s Diversity Action Committee. Joshua and his family (pictured above) reside in Minneapolis.
