Commemorating First Federally Recognized Juneteenth

 

The Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) would like to acknowledge Juneteenth to honor the generations of enslaved African Americans who built this nation. Slavery was legally abolished in 1863 with the Emancipation Proclamation, however, its signing reached all enslaved African American people two years later on June 19th, 1865. Juneteenth celebrates the day that Union soldiers finally delivered the news of the proclamation to all the enslaved populations in Texas. Juneteenth is also a day to commemorate and pay respects to African American resistance and liberation movements.

To celebrate Juneteenth we must also address the anti-Blackness in our communities and vow to put an end to it. MPAC is committed to addressing these issues and following the leadership of African American Muslim activists, and their allies, to eliminate racial inequality and anti-Blackness sentiments that may exist in our communities.

Today, take the time to acknowledge the history of slavery, and the struggles that African Americans went through and are still going through today. Today is an opportunity to educate ourselves about this holiday, and reaffirm to standing against anti-Blackness and white supremacy, wherever and however it manifests itself. We can also commemorate Juneteenth by demanding our representatives to block any voter suppression laws, which are being used to target and disenfranchise African American voters. Our commitment to ending racism and anti-Blackness calls for better educating ourselves and our youth, so that tomorrow we can live in a more inclusive America. - MPAC