What Juneteenth Means To Me

I am reflecting on Juneteenth and paying homage to my strong grandfather who struggled for freedom. Growing up, my Southern grandparents sang a spiritual called "O Freedom" with simple yet powerful lyrics about refusing to be a slave: "O Freedom, O Freedom; O freedom over me, but before I'll be a slave, I'll be buried in my grave & go home to my Lord & be free". As children, my sister and I sang along without fully comprehending the significance of the words. It wasn't until later that we understood the determination of Black slaves to be free and the hardships they endured to achieve their freedom.

Juneteenth prompts us to consider the experiences of enslaved men, women, and even children. How did news of their newfound freedom affect their lives? Was it an instantaneous change, or was there still resistance from slave owners? My grandfather, born years after Juneteenth, still had to fight for his freedom.

It's important to acknowledge and teach our history, including the struggles that many have faced and continue to face. Finally, we have national recognition of the "Day of Freedom", "Emancipation Day", and "Juneteenth". Let us keep the spirit of resilience and determination alive, and continue to share the stories of our ancestors until we all achieve true freedom.