Juneteenth Statement June 19, 2020 Dear Falcon Community, On this day 150 years ago, more than two years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, the slaves of Galveston, Texas finally received word that the Civil War was over. They were free. A century and a half later, Americans still recognize this occasion, Juneteenth, as a symbolic milestone on our journey toward a more perfect union. The nation is tinged with heightened racial tension. Combating longstanding, pervasive, and ongoing racism is essential. It must occur every day if it is to be effective and impactful. It needs to involve all of us if we are to succeed in ridding our society of this scourge.

That is why Saint Augustine’s University pauses today Friday, June 19, 2020, to recognize Juneteenth in an intentional and focused way. I will be moving forward with a proposal to the Board of Trustees to declare Juneteenth as a day of reflection and service for the entire Saint Augustine’s University community.

Dr. Anna Julia Cooper, our most celebrated Alumnae and the only woman quoted in the United States Passport said, “The cause of freedom is not the cause of a race or a sect, a party or a class - it is the cause of humankind, the very birthright of humanity.” As we celebrate freedom, please continue to commit yourselves to the unyielding work of co-creating a more equitable, and inclusive world. Below are resources for self-guided reflection.

Juneteenth and the Evolution of Commemoration: Explore how African American communities — and the country — began to celebrate the end of slavery, and how those annual observances evolved. From the ACWM blog, 2017.

HomefrontEd: All Different Now: Read along with ACWM education staff in an online storytime of Angela Johnson’s illustrated book about hearing the proclamation of freedom on June 19, 1865.

Today, Explained: Happy Juneteenth!: UCLA’s Brenda Stevenson explains the history and relevance of the Juneteenth holiday in this 2018 podcast episode from Vox. What is Juneteenth? Henry Louis Gates, Jr. details the events of June 19, 1865, other early observances of freedom celebrations, and evolutions of those celebrations in a lengthy blog post on PBS. Also, check this summary, “Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom” from the Library of Virginia’s Uncommonwealth project.

This is Why Juneteenth is Important for America: This video from The Root chronicles the history of Juneteenth and argues that the holiday isn’t just about commemorating the end of slavery, but the continued determination and resilience of African Americans in the face of oppression.

In closing, I offer you this statement from Al Edwards, Texas Democratic Representative, "Every year we must remind successive generations that this event triggered a series of events that one by one defines the challenges and responsibilities of successive generations.” Let freedom ring from Saint Augustine’s University!

Falcon Pride,

Interim President