In Her Own Words: Exploring The True Meaning Of Juneteenth

While Juneteenth is for some just a day for cookouts, block parties, and time off from work, the powerful history behind the celebration is often overlooked. 

So, what are we coming together for? On June 19th, 1865, we took a huge step forward in history. Two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, Union General Gordon Granger delivered the news in Galveston, Texas, that the war had finally come to an end as the last group of enslaved people were free.

Juneteenth represents much more than just a date in history. It reflects delayed justice, resilience and the ongoing struggle for freedom. With this ongoing struggle, we must recognize that Black people have continued to break these ceilings and are continuing to soar in rooms society never wanted us even to see, and that in itself is truly something to celebrate.

For me, as a young woman who is both Black and white, Juneteenth carries a different kind of weight. I sit between two very different types of experiences. One is rooted in centuries of oppression, resistance and survival, while the other is rooted in privilege that has historically benefited from that same oppression. 

That reality has driven me to acknowledge the full truth of our history, not just the parts that are comfortable to hear. To think my whole existence is possible because of the sacrifices, pain and strength of my ancestors is why Juneteenth is so important to me. Freedom is not just about the end of slavery. It’s about breaking down the systems and the closed mindsets that continue to restrain equality today. 

Education is the first step. We can’t truly celebrate a freedom we never understood. Too often, people view Juneteenth as just another day off, but fail to recognize the rich history it represents. Learning this history isn’t just for Black people. It’s for everyone because understanding the whole truth of America’s past is essential if we are ever to create a brighter future.

I’m not an expert, but I’m committed to educating myself on the cruel oppression America was built on. That’s why I’m choosing to continue my education by traveling to Selma, Alabama, this summer with Maryland Made for the “Big Life Series: Selma to Montgomery” trip. 

Standing on the Edmund Pettus Bridge — the same bridge where activists risked their lives for the right to vote — is a way for me to honor the sacrifices made and to deepen my understanding of how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go.

Juneteenth is not just a celebration. It’s a day of commitment and responsibility. A responsibility to educate ourselves, to acknowledge the pain that remains and to actively work toward true equality. 

The fight for freedom didn’t end in 1865, and it didn’t end in Selma. It continues with the choices we make each day.