Celebrating Juneteenth and Persevering with to Work in Solidarity for Racial Justice, Equality, and Fairness

June 19 — often known as Juneteenth, or the nation’s second Independence Day — commemorates the tip of slavery in Texas, and due to this fact the nation, a full two and a half years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.

Juneteenth marks the date in 1865 when Union troopers, led by Main Common Gordon Granger, landed in Galveston, Texas, with information that the warfare was over and slavery had been abolished. You’ll be able to learn extra about this outstanding occasion on PBS.org’s web site right here.

For greater than 150 years, communities throughout the nation and in elements of Mexico have fought for and noticed this vacation. In the present day, and day by day, America’s Charities celebrates and honors the work of Black activists by the ages. Our places of work are closed on June 29, 2023, to commemorate their efforts.

Juneteenth shouldn’t be confused with Emancipation Day. Per Nationwide Geographic, “Simply as Juneteenth initially celebrated freedom in Texas, Emancipation Day particularly marks the day when President Lincoln freed some 3,000 enslaved individuals in Washington, D.C.—a full eight months earlier than the Emancipation Proclamation and almost three years earlier than these in Texas can be freed.”

Tons of of years of enslavement inflicted deliberate terror and injustice on African People – and in lots of, very actual methods, the battle isn’t over. The disproportionate impression COVID-19 has had on individuals of shade, together with the #BlackLivesMatter that took root in 2020 upon the continued violent deaths of Black People, have made it clear that we now have a protracted method to go in ending racism, racist violence, and addressing the inequities that also exist at this time.

Fixing these inequities won’t occur in a single day, however it is important that we proceed to protest injustice, defend those that battle in opposition to oppression, assist the essential work to systemically change racist insurance policies, constructions, and rhetoric, and spend money on Black life and Black futures. Collectively, we should start the method of repairing and restoring as a nation. Nonprofits have been working to do exactly that for a while. This Juneteenth, we ask you to assist these charities that proceed to push for racial justice, equality, and fairness. Click on beneath to be taught how one can get entangled as a person or by your organization.

Charities to Assist:

There are quite a few organizations devoted to such reforms, together with the high-impact nonprofits beneath who we’re proud to name our members. We encourage you to assist our members that battle for fairness, equality, development, social justice, work to finish racism, and supply authorized counsel by donating to try for a greater world:

How Companies Can Get Concerned:

More and more, the crucial for employers to behave as brokers of optimistic change has grow to be obvious. What isn’t so apparent is how employers ought to go about doing this. The excellent news is many firms are already well-positioned to supply their staff with an outlet for his or her activism in a manner that additionally aligns with the corporate’s core values. This text outlines key parts of such initiatives and the way companies generally is a drive for good in an period of worker activism. Learn extra right here.