In Jewish history, God commanded his people to celebrate their redemption from slavery. Today, billions of people (including non-Jewish peoples) remember, read, and benefit from that story of deliverance.
Juneteenth is a holiday celebrating the liberation of slaves in the United States.
On June 19, 1865, Union troops led by Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to break the news to the last remaining Confederate sympathizers that they’d lost the Civil War and all slaves must be freed.source
Newly freed slaves celebrated. Celebrations continued each year, making it one of America’s oldest holidays.
Given the significance of slavery in American history (with on-going implications for African-Americans), I would support Juneteenth being a national holiday. It is something that every American should celebrate (and learn from) because it is (sadly) American history and American church history.
Spend your weekend reading one of these worthwhile books by these African American women:
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- His Testimonies, My Heritage, edited by Kristie Anyabwile
- Be the Bridge by Latasha Morrison
- God’s Very Good Idea a children’s book by Trillia Newbell
- Beautifully Distinct: Conversations with Friends on Faith, Life, and Culture, edited by Trillia Newbell
- Mother to Son: Letters to a Black Boy on Identity and Hope by Jasmine L Holmes
- The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
- United: Captured by God’s Vision for Diversity by Trillia Newbell
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