Understanding Juneteenth
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“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” – Galatians 5:1
What is Juneteenth?
Officially ‘Juneteenth National Independence Day,’ June 19th was made a national holiday in 2021 – meaning that it’s new to some of us. This is a day celebrating the freedom of the 250,000 enslaved African Americans in Texas on June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived announcing their freedom by executive order. President Abraham Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation two and a half years prior, but it had not been implemented in places under Confederate control.
What Does Juneteenth Mean to Me? A Black Man’s POV
by Dorell Morrow, Orion campus attender & Undivided Facilitator
The celebration of Juneteenth invokes both feelings of pain and optimism for me. The inhumane practice of withholding truth from citizens for the purpose of self-gain was not only ungodly but also worked to dissolve trust and stimulate division within the Body of Christ. However, the fact that Juneteenth is now recognized as a national holiday allows empathetic conversations about the journey of Black people in America to continue across a larger platform, fostering awareness and healing while working to eradicate the spirit of division.
If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free. – John 8:31
Why Celebrate Juneteenth as an American?
by Becky Lee, Mobilization & Cultural Engagement Director
The apostle Paul instructed the church in Rome to “rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn” (Rom. 12:15), and Juneteenth provides a unique national moment to do both. We can both rejoice and mourn during Juneteenth because freedom is a good gift from God that honors the image-bearing nature of humanity, sheds light on the painful past, and reaffirms that day when families were able to begin to make a life for themselves.
I was never taught about Juneteenth growing up and neither were my kids. I first learned about it in 2020 when I began a journey of reading more about black history and following new voices of color (i.e. authors, content creators, theologians, black-led non-profits etc).
I was deeply moved by this historic day that is so significant for our country and yet hasn’t been fully recognized or celebrated in all spaces. I always thought of the Emancipation Proclamation as the document that ended slavery in America and had no idea that those enslaved in Texas had endured 900 more days of being separated from family and forced to work under the threat of violence and death.
I am so inspired by Ms. Opal Lee, who walked halfway across the country at 89 years old to advocate for Juneteenth to become a national holiday…what an amazing woman! It has been beautiful to listen to my friends of color talk about their lived experiences in celebrating Juneteenth and how much it has meant to them. For the past few years, I have joined them in celebrating Juneteenth through community celebrations and each of those experiences has enriched my life.
Why Celebrate Juneteenth as a Christian?
by Andrew Kim, Troy Lead Pastor
On June 19, 1865, when Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, TX, he issued this:
“The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves…” – excerpt from General Orders No. 3, June 19, 1865.
Imagine being a slave, being a prisoner for your entire life, and then in one moment having everything change. As followers of Jesus, we understand this. Jesus declared us free from sin and everything changed.
Jesus made this proclamation:
The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. – Luke 4:18, NIV
Freedom is good news! And the good news – the gospel – is for all people!
Sadly, the “Slave Bible” given to enslaved people had the passages about freedom removed. In this documentary, Lisa Fields of the Jude 3 project says, “The Slave Bible is a Bible…that took out all the passages that point to liberation and freedom…they didn’t want them to know that they were also created in the image of God.”
Confession: A White Woman’s POV
by Kristin Pelletier, Kensington Staff
I have been ravenously seeking information about Juneteenth this week, causing my previous skepticism, “a new holiday?” to evaporate. But let’s begin at the skepticism because it may be the starting point for some. My skepticism about new things and from whom they come shields two feelings I’d like to avoid: guilt and confusion.
Guilt: Am I responsible for the sins of my country?
Confusion: What is my role in this (both the problem and solution)?
There is a part of me that would rather look away and assure myself that I am not culpable for all those evils all those years ago. But I am part of the nearly-invisible wheel that crushes some and carries others. And, I believe God is nudging me to engage with our country’s past.
God is nudging me to open my eyes to these historical horrors…not to burden me with a sense of guilt and not to fill me with impotent rage toward the oppressors of the past, but instead, to be a vessel of change. And that starts with admitting sin as sin, confessing it to God, and embracing His forgiveness and freedom.
Throughout the Bible, we see prophets and kings confessing sin on behalf of their nation, such as Daniel (Daniel 9).. It may feel strange to us, but corporate confession is God’s way to bring freedom and unity. Let’s sit in this posture of humility and confession – with eyes wide open – seeing hopeful progress and continuing to advocate in the places that need change.
Freedom from guilt and confusion allows us to enter into the celebration!