happy juneteenth!
on my mind
So I have the day off today. My company, along with many others in America, decided last week to officially recognize Juneteeth as a company-wide holiday. I didn’t grow up knowing about Juneteenth. I’d blame Arizona’s education system but I know my home state is not alone in improperly teaching us our history. I only learned about the significance of this day much later in life and not because any class taught me. I remember coming across wonderful Juneteenth celebrations in Oakland when I lived there and not understanding what was happening.
Juneteenth commemorates when the last remaining enslaved people in Texas learned the Civil War was over and that they were free, two and a half years after Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation had technically freed them. June 19, 1865 thus recognizes when slavery really ended, a delayed emancipation for all, and is known as a day of liberation and joy for African Americans. The Thirteenth Amendment officially ended the institution of slavery in the U.S. in December of that year, “except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted” which is another story—the documentary 13th does a great job of explaining the consequences of that clause.
Juneteenth is celebrated with parades, picnics, festivals, educational events, family reunions and more. It is an official state holiday in Texas and nearly every state recognizes it in some way (some of them literally within the last few days), but Juneteenth is not a federal holiday yet.
So what does it mean that so many Americans (mostly non-Black) are gaining consciousness of this holiday? How will having the day off bring understanding of our history and current day racism that remains to be reckoned with? If we’re all not properly educated about its meaning, what is the point?
I appreciated this reflection by Makkah on why she doubts that having Juneteenth as a paid holiday really accomplishes much if other actions aren’t taken alongside that.
If we weren’t in this unique moment of large-scale organizing and attention around Black Lives Matter, would these companies want to invest in their Black employees and give mental health days, resources, salary increases, leadership opportunities and other forms of support without some time of external recognition and/or branding advantage? For state governments now rushing to recognize and celebrate Juneteenth, will they listen to Black communities and include them in decision-making? I do feel wary of everyone taking off and avoiding the real work that needs to be done (and no, creating more employee resource groups and asking Black people to run diversity committees is not it!)
With all that in mind, I am going to spend some time today and this weekend learning and listening. But by all means, please take the day to rest and do what makes you happy, especially Black folks. You deserve that and much more.
Also, today marks one year since I started this newsletter—wild! Thank you all for joining me on this journey. I’d love to know when/why you subscribed and any stand-out newsletters or things I’ve shared that you’ve enjoyed!
what i’m noting
HBO offers Watchmen episodes for free // If you don’t have HBO, this weekend, you can stream all the episodes of the superhero drama, Watchmen, which explores racism in America and starts off in Tulsa during the Tulsa Massacre of 1921.
Black Joy—Not Corporate Acknowledgment—Is the Heart of Juneteenth // Yes!
Racism is Terrible. Blackness is Not // “The injustice is inescapable. So yes, I want the world to recognize our suffering. But I do not want pity from a single soul. Sin and shame are found in neither my body nor my identity. Blackness is an immense and defiant joy.” This essay is so beautiful.
Trauma Stewardship // While you’re caring for others, don’t forget to care for yourself as well. This is a free guide that can help you do that.
IG Live Guided Writing Session // I’m hosting a guided writing session with my friend and life coach, Aaliah Elnasseh, founder of Purpose Producers, on Sunday, June 21 at 2 p.m. ET. Tune in for some poems, prompts and a discussion on what it means to be you and how we can expand the edges of the self through adventures of thought and experience.
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Have a good weekend!
— Nesima