Why I Celebrate Juneteenth
by Michele Husfelt, June 19
In cities across the country, people of all races, nationalities and religions are joining hands to truthfully acknowledge a period in our history that shaped and continues to influence our society today. Sensitized to the conditions and experiences of others, only then can we make significant and lasting improvements in our society. -Juneteenth.com
I confess I did not grow up celebrating Emancipation Day, now more widely known as Juneteenth. I was aware of it as a historical event, the day commemorating the end of legalized slavery in the U.S. However, I missed the opportunity to use it as an inroad to understand and support my brothers and sisters of color in a practical way, coming alongside as they reflected and remembered.
Our first intentional celebration of this national holiday occurred several years ago when we moved to Washington, D.C. We lived in an apartment building in a neighborhood struggling with gentrification that promised a new and improved place to live. But, in reality, it delivered the loss of the rich history of the black community once so present. As a Caucasian couple, my husband and I sought to love and serve all our neighbors, but especially bridge the gap between the locals who were trying to make sense of their new reality, living in the tension of “the white people moving in and taking over our neighborhood” and those of us who appreciated their history and were honored to share their beautiful space.
Our celebration of Juneteenth became one avenue to love our neighbors and stand with them, showing our support publicly. Knowing we will never change the whole world, our prayer is that we can be a light to the few whom God has set in our tiny slice of the world. Today we proudly fly our Juneteenth flag on our front lawn, and we attend Juneteenth celebrations as we continue to seek understanding and unity with our brothers and sisters of color, joining hands and hearts to sit together at the table of grace.
“we continue to seek understanding and unity...joining hands and hearts to sit together at the table of grace.”
“Let us celebrate all that Juneteenth teaches us about our country’s greatness in our use of the heart to hear and to learn and to work together for all that is good and just. ”