Juneteenth: Celebration of the Quest for Liberation

The quest for liberation is as essential to our human existence as the air we breathe.

We see this quest for liberation at every stage - the yearning for growth and independence during infancy, the exploration of worldly freedoms during teen and adult years, and the need for freedom from the limitations of the body during the final days of life.

This quest or call for liberation resides within us all.  Yet, it may lie dormant within some, it may just be emerging in others, or it may be a fully realized purpose of life for others.  And, this calling for liberation can be particularly strong for those of us who have long endured oppressed in the physical world.

For Black Americans, our ancestors sensed the call of liberation during the Trans-Atlantic slave trade and Antebellum enslavement.  Our progenitors sensed this call as we escaped slavery and fought in the Civil War for this country's recognition of our physical liberation.  Our grandparents and parents sensed this call during Redemption, Jim Crow, Segregation, and the Civil Rights Movement.  And, we sense our spirit's call for liberation to challenge the persisting oppression of white supremacy, domestic neo-colonialism, capitalism, and militarized government systems today.

Our fight for liberation continues.  Therefore, Juneteenth isn't a celebration of a reluctant nation's forced and delayed acknowledgment of our physical freedoms.  We don't celebrate the history of disguising and swapping one form of oppression for another.  We don't celebrate the use of this day for the political posturing or economic exploitation.

On Juneteenth, Black Americans celebrate our culture's deep connection with the Creator and the spiritual truth of our freedom and equality that flows from that connection.  We celebrate the sacrifices and achievements of our ancestors, relatives, and spiritually aligned friends who bravely challenged white supremacist systems and paved the early pathways to greater liberties - liberties that blessed people of ALL races and genders in the United States.  And, we celebrate our faith, strength, and resilience as a people who are capable of achieving true liberation for future generations.

May we whisper our sincerest prayers to the Creator, breathe deeply, and feel renewed by the spirit of our ancestors, relatives, and friends who sacrificed their lives to guide us toward the path of liberation.

May we use this day for healing, rest, rejuvenation, and joy for our spirits before we continue on our quests for liberation.

May we remain in close relationship with the Creator and be always receptive to divine guidance.

And, may we discern the individual and collective actions necessary for our quest for liberation for Black people and for all life.

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