Juneteenth
Juneteenth—June 19—celebrates the day in 1865 when Union soldiers landed at Galveston, Texas, carrying the news that the Civil War had ended and those who had been enslaved were now free. Although President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation took effect on January 1 of 1863, there were not enough Union forces present to enforce the Proclamation. Ever since that day, Juneteenth celebrations have marked the day, acknowledging the delay of justice and celebrating its arrival.
Resources
Juneteenth is an excellent resource for learning about the history of Juneteenth and planning a Juneteenth Day celebration.
Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Anti-Racism, Anti-Oppression, Multicultural (ARAOMC) Resources
Juneteenth is a 2008 post from the UUA's Advocacy & Witness blog, Inspired Faith, Effective Action.
Action
Juneteenth can be celebrated with cookouts, prayer services, informational displays in your fellowship hall, or concerts. Juneteenth provides a list of celebrations happening in the U.S. and international celebrations, the history of Juneteenth, and recommendations of how to celebrate.
Unitarian Universalist Association History
The UUA's 2007 Responsive Resolution, Truth, Repair, & Reconciliation.
For more information contact la_racialjustice @ uua.org.
Last updated on Friday, June 20, 2008.
