Today, we celebrate Freedom Day, an actual and unchanneled Independence Day, where on June 19, 1865, Abraham Lincoln freed thousands of enslaved people in Texas, whereas later, this day became known as Juneteenth.
While the acknowledgment of Juneteenth was deferred for over 150 years, this day began to be taken more seriously. Given the severity and necessity of acknowledging Freedom Day, on June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden declared Juneteenth a federal holiday by signing the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act (JNIDA) into law. Therefore, and since 2021, today, and forever, Juneteenth will never go unrecognized again, even for those who try to ignore it and those who wish not to celebrate it.
When considering the importance of Juneteenth, this marks the day where, little by little and inch by inch, we reclaim our freedom to live and die.
The acknowledgment of Juneteenth provides a sense of certainty and embodiment of who we are and what we stand for.
Juneteenth marks the moment when Blacks feel free and are not a product of their environment or a slave to others or society.
This Freedom Day reminds Blacks that it is not society’s responsibility to justify their sense of feeling free and freedom, but we, as collectivistic groups and individuals, must illustrate and embrace our willingness to remain free and sustain freedom.
It is your responsibility to ensure you [we] stay free.
Free from harm.
Free from suffering.
Free from segregation.
Free to love and be loved by those similar and those different.
Free from discrimination, prejudices, and biases.
Free from police brutality.
Freedom to drive, walk, and run while being black.
Freedom to sit and sleep in our home peacefully without the fear of being executed or gunned down.
Freedom to live in any neighborhood where our finances allow.
Free to acquire an education and attend any college or school anywhere in the world.
Freedom to speak and, lift our voices high, and be heard.
The freedom to embrace cultures, our identities, and individualities.
Freedom to have equal rights and opportunities.
Freedom to build generational wealth.
Freedom to celebrate, rejoice, and be happy.
Free from inequities, equalities, and disparities.
Freedom to breathe.
Free from slavery.
Most importantly, freedom to live.
Today is Juneteenth, the fourth year of being recognized as a national holiday. Use this day, and every day of the year, to lift your voice, celebrate with others, and fully embody your identity and who you are. Embrace your self-authenticity and the fact that you are different, unique, and will never be the same as others. Your distinctiveness allows you to stand out from the rest and be better than most.
Happy Juneteenth!
Au'Pearce 
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