Juneteenth, a federal holiday, commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and celebrates the end of slavery in the country. On June 19,1865 , Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that enslaved people were free, effectively enforcing the Emancipation Proclamation, which had been issued by President Abraham Lincoln two and a half years earlier.
The origins of Juneteenth call for us to reflect on the legacy of systemic oppression and its relationship to the environmental movement. It’s no coincidence that redlined communities are situated next to heavy industry, leaving historically Black communities subject to higher rates of air pollution. Redlining explains why my grandfather cashed in his GI Bill benefits in exchange for a Sears kit in home Detroit zip code 48217 and why he would later go on to battle both breast and colon cancer.
The fight against systemic oppression and for environmental justice are inextricably linked. It’s why I believe so strongly in creating a healthy planet for all to explore, enjoy, and protect, and why it’s so inspiring to work at the Sierra Club.