What Is Juneteenth? And Why We Just Made It a Company Holiday.

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As an organization, we are recognizing Juneteenth which is also known as Freedom Day. With tragic events continuing to happen in the world today, we want to highlight this holiday even more than before to help educate and uplift others so we can continue to build toward a more equitable society. We will use this day to celebrate the end of slavery while honoring the culture and achievements of African Americans. 

Juneteenth is a celebrated commemoration of June 19, 1865. On that date, more than two years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, Union soldiers finally arrived in Galveston, TX with news that the Civil War had ended and that all enslaved people were free. 

Here’s how Juneteenth.com describes the holiday:

“It is a day, a week, and in some areas a month marked with celebrations, guest speakers, picnics and family gatherings. It is a time for reflection and rejoicing. It is a time for assessment, self-improvement, and for planning the future. Its growing popularity signifies a level of maturity and dignity in America long overdue.”

“In cities across the country, people of all races, nationalities, and religions are joining hands to truthfully acknowledge a period in our history that shaped and continues to influence our society today. Sensitized to the conditions and experiences of others, only then can we make significant and lasting improvements in our society. 

Soccer in the Streets is recognizing this day as a paid holiday for staff and we encourage everyone to ask their employer to do the same. We hope others will use this as an opportunity to celebrate freedom, educate one’s self and take action to support marginalized communities while recognizing that we still have a long way to go before we have true equality in America.   

“This was a simple yet meaningful action we could take as an organization to not only recognize what continues to happen in our communities but to use it as an opportunity to educate and uplift others,” said Phil Hill, Executive Director of Soccer in the Streets.

“I know it’s just the beginning of more meaningful actions we can take to continue addressing issues of inequality and injustice that we see far too often in the communities we serve.”

Due to COVID-19, the Juneteenth Festival in Atlanta has been postponed till August. There will still be a march on Friday, June 19th. Follow the link for more information.

If you are interested in learning more about this important day check out some of the resources below:

Articles:

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