Breaking Free

Many don't know the significance of June 19, which has come to be called Juneteenth.

June 19, 1865: a life changing day for African Americans. A day in history to celebrate. A day to remember. Most of all, a day to be thankful.

What happened on this day 150 year ago? Why does it matter to me?

From Labor to Liberty

Let's break down a few things: The Emancipation Proclamation was declared in January of 1863 by Abraham Lincoln to free the slaves. Many slave owners in Texas ignored this proclamation, wanting the free labor to last.

Upon finding out that there were still slaves in Texas, General Gordon Granger was sent to Galveston on June 19, 1865 to tell the slaves they were free. The Thirteenth Amendment was also added in 1865 stating that there would be "neither slavery nor involuntary servitude."

A Brief History

While there is certainly more to slavery than what is in this post, here is a short breakdown of how it came to be.

Slavery in Africa began when African empires were in conflict with other groups (i.e., politics, religion, economic matters). Individuals of one group would capture those from other groups and use them for labor, leverage, or trade.

These trades led to Europeans buying or trading for slaves to use for labor in the New World. Those enslaved in America did not faire as well as those in Central and West Africa. Slavery in Africa typically didn't signify permanent enslavement, and it was not defined by race.

Europeans were of a different race, and they held different religious beliefs, so they used this to justify their possession of African slaves. Also, according to the LDHI Library, "European slave holders in the New World justified the enslavement of non-Europeans by constructing the concept of a white European race as separate and superior to non-Europeans."

The trans-Atlantic slave trade is the largest recorded slaved trade in history to this point with some 12+ million people being traded between the 16th to late 19th century. Europeans set up "castles" in Africa to house their men while trading. These castles had dungeons for the slaves they were carrying over. Many of the Africans died while being transported from African to European hands, and even more died on the long boat rides over Atlantic.

Freedom Day

While I am NOT a historian and don't claim to hold any expertise in the field, I can use my research and writing to educate and promote equality and love. While I will NEVER understand the perils of slavery, I can support my Black brothers and sisters. I can celebrate with them as they sing loud for their independence day. June 19 is a day to celebrate.

The above is not nearly a full history of slavery, but I wanted to post an overview for those who don't understand what Juneteenth is or why it's important. Here are some extra resources to help you better understand, and also some books for learning more. Resources/References:

1. history.com

2. ldhi.library.cofc.edu

3. nmoah.si.edu

4. Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

   1. Her writing is poetic, and she paints a beautiful picture of life for some prominent Africans. She uses the well-lived characters to juxtapose a life of entrapment and torture for those who aren't so lucky as to be born to the African leaders. Gyasi also gives a glimpse into what it was like for the children born mixed with European fathers and African mothers.

5. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass

   1. Douglass writes about his life as an American slave. Douglass was born into slavery, and he writes a detailed account of the dehumanizing journey through slavery to freedom and advocates for equality.
      

6. Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Jacob

   1. Harriet writes about her time as a mother and slave on the run. Though the main character's name is Linda Brent, this is a pen name for Harriet herself. Harriet talks about her struggles, the pain of leaving her children behind, and finally her emancipation.

7. Beloved by Toni Morrison

   1. A fictional tale of heartache and love. The protagonist has flashbacks to her time as an enslaved woman. She is haunted by both a ghost in the present and her memories of the past.

While most of the books are works of fiction, you can see the elements of slavery and the impact on life for African Americans.