JUNETEENTH

A lot of Americans believe that all Black people were freed immediately after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed in 1863. This couldn't be further from the truth. It wasn't until June 19, 1865, that approximately 250,000 enslaved Black people in Texas were informed of their freedom as Union soldiers marched through the South announcing the news. That was only 161 years ago. In the grand scheme of history, that wasn't very long ago at all. This day would come to be known as Juneteenth—what many consider Black Americans' true liberation day. As Black people in America, at every turn we have faced injustice. It wasn't until this period that many Black people were legally able to learn to read and write. Let that sink in. Just 161 years ago, our families could be beaten or killed for seeking literacy. Today, literacy is a gift. We are grateful for the opportunities we have because of the sacrifices made by those who came before us. They killed our leaders. They limited our power. They tried to dim our light. Yet our sovereignty remains ours and ours alone. Now here we are in 2026, watching many of the gains won through struggle come under attack. Civil rights protections, education, economic opportunity, and social justice are constantly debated, challenged, and dismantled. The list goes on. What continues to amaze me is how many people hold strong opinions about Black Americans without truly understanding who we are. They repeat narratives they were taught instead of seeking the truth. The truth is that Black Americans have shaped this country in immeasurable ways through our labor, creativity, innovation, culture, and sacrifice. Our contributions are woven into the fabric of America itself. As Public Enemy said: Fight the Power. James Baldwin once wrote, "To be a Negro in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be in a rage almost all the time." We have a right to be angry. But even expressing that anger is often used against us. We are told to be quiet, to be patient, to be grateful, while our communities continue to endure injustice. Children are harmed. Teenagers are killed. Lives are taken based on assumptions and stereotypes. And somehow, we're still expected to explain why we're upset. We don't need people to pretend these things aren't happening. We are living them. Imagine carrying the weight of everyday life while also navigating a world that too often judges, fears, or misunderstands you because of the color of your skin. That exhaustion is real. Check on your Black friends. People love to tell us how strong we are. And yes, we are resilient. Our history proves that. But resilience doesn't mean we don't get tired. It doesn't mean we don't hurt. It doesn't mean we should have to carry everything alone. Power to the People.