When I think about Juneteenth or Freedom Day, as my family called it, I reflect on the moment in history in 1865 when Union soldiers arrived with the news that the Civil War was over and that enslaved individuals were freed from bondage. As much as this moment in time is seen as the official marker for the end of slavery, the reality for those enslaved did not magically change overnight.
My memories of Juneteenth are around the storytelling of the aftermath. Enforcing this declaration among slave owners who had financially benefited from slavery was not an overnight success. The quest for freedom was a challenge that continued for many years, and there was no safe or easy way for former slaves to establish themselves as free men and women with equal rights under the law.
I recently returned from Marquette’s Civil Rights Pilgrimage, which was coordinated by Chris Jeske in the Center for Peacemaking. We visited six states in seven days and the evidence of how slavery impacted generations of Black families well after 1865 is undeniable. Each museum, historical marker and presentation was a reminder of the harsh reality that freedom is certainly not free. It came at the cost of blood, sweat, tears, humanity, fear, domestic terrorism and the death of those who came before us.
Celebrating Juneteenth is a time that we get together and celebrate the bravery of those who came before us. It is a time for fellowship, great food, family, fun and storytelling from our elders. It’s the opportunity to celebrate how far we have come while acknowledging the sacrifices it took to get here.
