The yearly celebration of Juneteenth has even more relevance today in view of the passionate protests and consistent dialogue about race and history between groups of all backgrounds. Today, racial issues in the country are front and center, and organizations like Sound have committed to standing against racism, encouraging conversation, and taking action to spark positive change in the community.
Juneteenth commemorates the ending of slavery on June 19, 1865, in the United States. Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free.
It should be noted that although black slaves were freed, over the years they were forced to endure discrimination, violence, harsh living conditions, and death at the hands of groups like the Klu Klux Klan. One hundred years after they were freed, black people were still facing segregation, discrimination, violence, and death.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Juneteenth events in King County have been canceled but you can still research topics and the history and significance of Juneteenth. In addition, there are some virtual celebrations as well.
Here some resources to learn more:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtNQJwObfYeupLBW9JOP-Dw/featured
https://www.tolerance.org/magazine/teaching-juneteenth
https://www.cah.utexas.edu/research/subject_guides/africanam_juneteenth.php