June 19, 2020 2 min read
155 years ago, Union Major General Gordon Granger read an official federal order stating all enslaved people in Texas (more than 250,000) were free. Here’s the thing—enslaved people were already emancipated two and a half years prior. On January 1, 1863, Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation and declared "that all persons held as slaves within the rebellious states are, and henceforward shall be free."
So why were there 250,000 people still enslaved after it was outlawed in America more than two years before? Unfortunately, it was due to a combination of misinformation to Texas slave owners, no information at all, or a blatant choice to ignore it.
In the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement, our country continues to dismantle racist systems, prejudices, processes, and institutions. We’re witnessing one of the biggest social justice movements to promote racial equity since the Civil Rights movement. Juneteenth should become a federal holiday so that we ALL—not just black people—can remember, reflect, and take action to eradicate all forms of racism.
Let’s confront and accept our nation’s history and roots. What counts now, more than ever, is to RADICALLY do better as we move forward. Join Love Is Project as we sign this Change.org petition to make Juneteenth a federal holiday.
XOXO,
Chrissie
Founder, Love is Project
P.S. If you’re vibing the Black and Gold Bracelets in the photo, you can check them out here . For every Kenyan-made Love Is Project bracelet sold this month, we’re donating 10% of the purchase to Black Lives Matter and the NAACP .
Kenya LOVE hands solidarity photo: Georgina Goodwin
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