Honoring History Through Action
This week, Sojourners is closing its offices to honor Juneteenth, a practice it began in 2021 when the holiday became federally recognized. The organization views this pause not as performative but as a deeply intentional act of aligning work rhythms with its justice-centered mission. For Sojourners, Juneteenth is a day to reflect, celebrate, and recommit to liberation efforts rooted in both history and faith.
Juneteenth’s Deeper Meaning
Juneteenth marks June 19, 1865, when Union troops enforced emancipation in Galveston, Texas, more than two years after Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. Though long observed in Black communities, it became a national holiday only after the 2020 racial justice protests. Supporters emphasize that the day symbolizes both the joy of liberation and the injustice of delayed freedom. Critics argue the holiday risks becoming symbolic without structural follow-through.
The Necessity of Federal Intervention
The author highlights two key facts: the delayed enforcement of emancipation and the critical role of Union troops. Texas resisted freeing enslaved people until forced by 2,000 federal soldiers, demonstrating that laws alone are insufficient without enforcement. This history underscores the need for ongoing accountability in today’s struggle against racial injustice.
Ongoing Struggles Demand Persistent Hope
Despite milestones like the Civil Rights Act, structural racism persists. The weakening of the Voting Rights Act by the 2013 Shelby County v. Holder decision and the introduction of laws like the SAVE Act show continued efforts to suppress Black and brown voters. Juneteenth, then, serves not only as a celebration but also as a reminder of the hard, enduring work of justice.
A Holy Interruption for the Church
Sojourners calls on American Christians to embrace Juneteenth as a day of sacred rest and sober reckoning. It urges churches to confront their past complicity in slavery and segregation and to reengage in liberation work. Supporters hope more faith communities will mark Juneteenth as a spiritual imperative.
Source:
If You Preach Justice, You Should Observe Juneteenth
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