Juneteenth is officially the Independence Day of African Americans.
On June 19th 1865, Major Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas to inform enslaved African Americans of their freedom – two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln abolished slavery throughout the country. June 19th is observed to commemorate the official end of slavery as we continue the work in the fight for equality.
Although the official dismantling of slavery was in 1865, African Americans have continued to fight through the system that continues to utilize the laws and policies that kept us oppressed for so long. Whether it’s Jim Crow or unequal employment, police brutality, education and housing practices; African Americans have proved that through it all we will continue to fight and continue to rise.
We're celebrating #Juneteenth by continuing the fight for freedom for all pic.twitter.com/e4Kxz2MRiV
— ACLU (@ACLU) June 19, 2017
Even today in 2017 as we fight against the seeming open season on our men and women, African-Americans are resisting stronger than ever. Through collective efforts including the #BuyBlack initiative, #BlackBanking, #BlackLivesMatter and countless others, Black people have taken their lives and communities back into our own hands. The empowerment and solidarity that comes from such a movement can’t help but leave you saying loud that you are Black and proud.
Recognize #Juneteenth because Black people weren't free on 7/4/1776. 100 yrs of Jim Crow after being "freed" on 6/19/1865 & still fighting! pic.twitter.com/qZ8bF3AVyX
— C H A K A | K H A N (@ChakaKhan) June 19, 2017
To celebrate the day of freedom that our ancestors fought for, GRIP Magazine has curated a Juneteenth playlist to help you celebrate your freedom consciously.
Check out the playlist below and HappyJuneteenth ya’ll!
Happy #Juneteenth y'all!! pic.twitter.com/CmMhI3k75s
— Zendaya (@Zendaya) June 19, 2017
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