Black Americans are free, but Africans elsewhere are not
Today, June 19, we mark Juneteenth, an historic day of freedom, resilience, and remembrance for black Americans.
It commemorates the moment 160 years ago in 1865 when the last enslaved Americans in Galveston, Texas, learned of their emancipation, a staggering two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. Juneteenth is not just a date in history; it is a living symbol of the ongoing fight for justice and dignity.
At the African Jewish Alliance, we reflect today on the deep and enduring relationship between black and Jewish communities in America: a relationship forged through shared histories of persecution, perseverance, and the pursuit of justice. From marching together in Selma to standing against hatred and discrimination in all its forms, our alliance is more than symbolic. It is rooted in action, in empathy, and in the belief that none are free until all are free.
So, too, to those who believe the struggle for liberation is complete, we say this: the work is far from over. We must remember that the freedom black Americans enjoy is limited to them. Slavery and genocidal violence exist across the African continent and Arab Middle East, destabilizing communities and destroying lives. On this day of emancipation, we remember those still fighting for freedom, dignity, and peace. Liberation must be universal. And, until it is, we will not stop standing together.
Across the Atlantic, Africans are kidnapped and slaughtered by jihadists in Nigeria; sold as grunt labor in Libya; raped and dragged away in chains in Darfur; owned by the tens of thousands as chattel in Mauritania; trafficked to the Gulf states as sex slaves; and, if Christian, viciously persecuted in country after country.
As an alliance, we focus on global interconnectedness. Across the diaspora, on both sides of the Atlantic, we see the strength, culture, and courage of black communities shaping the world for the better. As Jews and as allies, we stand shoulder to shoulder with our black friends, partners, and communities, today and every day.
Juneteenth is a celebration, yes, but it is also a call. A reminder and a promise.