Why Is Juneteenth Important?

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 century and a half since, black activists have fought against the fallout from enslavement by organizing civil rights advocacy organizations and protesting.

So given its importance, is Juneteenth a federal holiday? Almost! Only now in 2021 has Congress passed a bill recognizing Juneteenth a federal holiday, with the president expected to sign it in the coming days.In the wake of this year’s Chicago protests sparking national Black Lives Matter marches, 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.

How You Can Celebrate

People often ask how to celebrate Juneteenth as an ally — let’s confront and accept our nation’s history and roots. Now, more than ever is the time to step up, be a civil rights advocate, and RADICALLY do better as we move forward. Although Juneteenth will most likely become a holiday, join Love Is Project as we sign this Change.org petition to show our support in recognizing Juneteenth.

If you’re vibing the Black and Gold Bracelets in the photo, check them and support civil rights organizations in the process. 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.

Fighting Hate Through Poetry: How Amanda Gorman Spreads LOVE

At President Biden’s inauguration ceremony in January 2021, Amanda Gorman became the youngest poet to speak at a presidential inauguration. Amanda rose to stardom when she performed her poemThe Hill We Climb. The poem contains a message of hope and love, especially potent topics, since the nation was just starting to heal from the Capitol Hill Riots a few weeks prior. Her poem sent ripples across the country, and conveyed a large sense of optimism and unity in people.

"And so we lift our gazes not to what stands between us, / but what stands before us. / We close / the divide because we know, to put our future first, / we must first put our differences aside. / We lay down our arms / so we can reach out our arms / to one another."

- Amanda Gorman, The Hill We Climb

To Amanda, her work has always symbolized more than just words on a page; writing poetry has been a way for her to shift the world's perceptions of hate and racism and send messages of love and unity. 

Her poetry serves as a tangible way for Amanda to further her activism and present it in both an intellectual and thought-provoking way. Her own personal mantra, which she recites before every performance, clearly states her position on activism, “I am the daughter of Black writers. We are descended from freedom fighters who broke their chains and changed the world. They call me.” Gorman’s poetry not only echoes the sounds of love and calls for the dismantling of hatred, but her poetry also brings about a sense of unity. Juneteenth is about learning from the past and building an understanding society for future generations, and this cannot be done without unity.

We should all be unified by LOVE, and the fact that Gorman can do this in such an eloquent way is incredible. It’s clear that Amanda Gorman is one of America’s next Black leaders! To learn more about the work and activism of Amanda Gorman, visit her websiteHERE.

At Love Is Project, we celebrate the spirit of Unity with ourUnity collection of bracelets and necklaces. Handmade in Bali, these unique seed bead bracelets are perfect for layering.

Juneteenth is more than an anniversary, it’s a chance to explore the impact of Black culture on our society. This Juneteenth, support civil rights organizations, educate yourself about racial justice, and sign the petition to make Juneteenth a national holiday!

XOXO, 

Chrissie
Founder, Love is Project 

Kenya LOVE hands solidarity photo: Georgina Goodwin