To me, Juneteenth holds two truths.
It is a moment to cherish my lineage and cultural legacy as a Black American. It is also a moment to mourn for the enslaved who were not told of their freedom in Texas until two years after Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.
Juneteenth reminds us of the contingency of freedom, and the communities striving for equity and equality globally. Commemorating Juneteenth means acknowledging the legacy of White Christian Supremacy in the U.S., a continued threat Tanenbaum works to dismantle by building respect for religious differences and all the intersections that come with it.
Tanenbaum’s Faith and Race series spotlights Black people of faith who live their religion and spirituality proudly. Watch our Faith and Race series here and if you or someone you know would like to submit a reflection, please do so here. I also call your attention to the ongoing work of religious and spiritual communities consciously engaging in anti-racism work. You can learn more about them here.
However you observe Juneteenth, I encourage you to be mindful of the lessons Juneteenth holds as we work to create spaces for all to live safely and freely in their full identity.
In commemoration,
Rev. Mark Fowler, CEO, Tanenbaum