Compass Group USA’s Post

Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19th, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. It marks the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned of their freedom, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Recognized as a federal holiday, Juneteenth is a time to honor African American history and culture, reflect on the journey toward equality, and celebrate resilience and progress. Juneteenth is more than just a historical date; it’s a celebration of freedom, culture, and progress, emphasizing the importance of equality and justice for all.

“The history of slavery is the history of the United States. It was not peripheral to our founding; it was central to it. It is not irrelevant to our contemporary society; it created it. This history is in our soil, it is in our policies, and it must, too, be in our memories.” —Clint Smith The Transatlantic Slave Trade was the largest long distance forced movement of people in human history. From the late 1500s to mid 1800s, enslavers forced Africans from their home countries to the Americas to work in forced labor camps under unthinkably harsh conditions. The lives, identities, families, traditions, and more were stolen from enslaved people. The devastation of chattel slavery has persisted across centuries and its legacy is alive and well in our society. On this day, we take the time to remember, mourn, and heal from the trauma caused by the Transatlantic Slave Trade in the United States and around the world. We recognize its impacts on our shared history, this country, and countless generations of Black people and Black families. As we move forward together, Sankofa Impact carries this history in our work towards a future of collective liberation. . . . #SankofaImpact #Seattle #RemembranceoftheSlaveTrade #Healing #CollectiveLiberation #History

Today is Juneteenth, a commemoration of the end of slavery in the US following the Civil War ✊🏽 More than 150 years after the enactment of the Thirteenthth Amendment, very little has been done to address the legacy of slavery and its continued legacies visible in contemporary inequality and injustice. Though the enslavement of Black people created wealth, opportunity, and prosperity for millions of white Americans and gave birth to the American economy, its impact is largely obscured and ignored. Slavery in America traumatized and devastated millions of people and created false narratives of racial difference that still persist today. These narratives, including the ideology of white supremacy, lasted well beyond slavery and fueled decades of racial terror, segregation, mass incarceration, and inequality. Strengthening our understanding of racial history empowers us to create a healthier discourse about race in America and foster an era of truth and justice.

On this #Juneteenth, we commemorate the end of slavery in the US. We honor the resilience, strength, and contributions of African Americans throughout our nation's history. Today serves as a reminder of the importance of freedom, justice, and equality for all. #Juneteenth2024

Today, we honour the resistance and resilience of all Black people across the British empire that endured the horrors of chattel slavery. The Abolition of Slavery Act, passed by the British Parliament in 1833, came into effect on August 1, 1834, abolishing slavery throughout North America and the West Indies. In Canada, though the Act made enslavement officially illegal in every province and freed the last remaining enslaved people of African descent, we recognize and mourn those who we continue to lose to legacies of slavery. We also recognize the forced dehumanization of Indigenous people across Turtle Island to enact chattel slavery and the way this history continues to affect Indigenous communities, today. On Emancipation Day, we must recommit ourselves to dismantling racism - from policing and justice, to health care, housing, education and beyond. Tell us how you will be honouring, celebrating and reflecting this Emancipation Day? #189years

Maybe two years ago while sitting at a rooftop in North Hills, a close friend with a different skintone than me looked around, and whispered in my ear, “North Hills is getting pretty dark, isn’t it?” I was confused. “Yeah the sun is going down, I guess it’s getting late.” He motioned with his eyes, and I realized maybe 50% of the classy rooftop guests had similar skintones to my own. I laughed it off, but it was the first insight I got into how (some) white people, being 60% of the nation’s population, oftentimes don’t feel comfortable in spaces with patrons of darker complexions. In 1865, people in Texas heard the news for the first time that they no longer had to be shackled. Today, Texas has the largest black population, but only at 14% compared to the 12% national average. During slavery, men, women, and children were chained, beaten, starved, and suffered horrible assaults and living conditions. They worked every day under the imprisonment of other families. The average slaved lived to only 21 years old, while the average white person lived twice as long to 40+ years old. Slaverly still continued illegally for a while after 1865. It was not that long ago. Slavery didn’t really end hundreds of years ago. It continued mentally. It is still relevant to how black and brown people whose ancestors were enslaved go about navigating this country. This affects our health, education, standard of living, job search, home-buying and overall income earning potential. There’s also the quiet and insidious bias others may have towards black men and women they don’t even recognize. If you observe this holiday, take inventory of your circle. How often do you interact with and celebrate black and brown men and women for their accomplishments? Do you acknowledge how challenging overcoming slavery must be, even today? Do you make an effort to learn more about cultures different than your own? Do you get uncomfortable if a black person drives a nice car, is at a nice restaurant, or moves into your neighborhood? Do you recognize that if a black American has achieved a high level of success, it may have been much harder to achieve based on our countries recent history of slavery? Today, assess your bias. Learn about your family’s history and the history of your friends. Maybe ask them how you can be a better friend surrounding the topic of race. Ignoring that these things are real and vastly affected Americans is hugely problematic- we must do better as a society and unified country. Black and brown people are resilient, forgiving, loving, intelligent, capable, innovative, and deserving of safe spaces to work, live, grow our families, and thrive! I hope that as time goes on, the small number of 14% of black people in this country grows, as we shed the limiting beliefs historically forced on us, and pursue better resources, education, and jobs.

History

Today we observe Juneteenth, which not only honors the resilience and contributions of African Americans but also serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial equity and liberatory justice. By recognizing and celebrating Juneteenth, we acknowledge the profound impact of slavery and the dire need for continued work in dismantling white supremacist ideologies and creating a society that is safe, equitable, and inclusive for all.

"Silence in the face of injustice is complicity." - Desmond Tutu In our fast-paced and interconnected world, it is crucial to recognize that silence can indeed be interpreted as giving consent, especially when there are matters or issues that demand our attention and action. Remaining silent can perpetuate harmful situations and hinder progress towards positive change. As stated in Proverbs 31:8-9, "Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy." This scripture highlights the importance of speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves, advocating for justice, and defending the rights of the marginalized and vulnerable. We must remember that our words and actions have the power to make a difference. As we strive for a more inclusive and equitable society, let us not stay silent but instead use our voices to address systemic issues, promote dialogue, and work towards positive change.

Today we commemorate a significant moment in American history: when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce the end of slavery two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln. This lag in implementation underscores the inherent challenges in the struggle for liberty, making Juneteenth not just a day of celebration but also a reminder of the tireless pursuit of equality and justice. As we celebrate African American resilience and culture, we reflect on the ongoing fight for racial equity and the importance of combating systemic racism. #Juneteenth #ColliersREMSUS