Juneteenth in 2020 compels us to reflect beyond the 155 years of Black emancipation from slavery.
Juneteenth in 2020 is the momentum of a 400-year justice journey for freedom.
Juneteenth in 2020 is a lesson in why we must understand that Black history is U.S. history.
Juneteenth in 2020 represents the true beginning of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Juneteenth in 2020 empowers us to identify and eliminate anti-Blackness.
Juneteenth in 2020 demands us to speak louder than words.
Juneteenth in 2020 requires actions that dismantle systemic racism.
Juneteenth in 2020 celebrates Blackness.
Juneteenth in 2020 Black Lives Matter unites us.
This year, Juneteenth is celebrated on the final day of a relentless spring, but comes at the end of a week that has given us some moments of optimism and faith for some of our most vulnerable communities. The Supreme Court rulings to maintain the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and protect LGBTQIA workers from being fired for their sexual orientation or gender identity represent the advancement of social justice in our society. These rulings also build upon the victory of emancipation, the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights, all connected to the possible future of freedom that Juneteenth represents.
In this moment, we see hope emerge, not as an empty promise, but as represented in the actions and courage of our people. In every state in the union, from coast to coast, in cities large and small, suburban and rural communities alike, our people from every spectrum of identity have and continue to march for racial justice, have chosen to stand in solidarity with our Black community, demand an end to anti-Black violence and lynching of Black bodies, are grappling with the complexities of race, and honor the names and stories of George Floyd, Nina Pop, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, Breonna Taylor, and Rayshard Brooks and too many others. In the actions of our people, we see a beacon of hope, a moral compass towards justice, and the shift from a moment in U.S. history towards a social movement across the globe.
Juneteenth will also mark the launch of a summer of change. The Center for Diversity and Inclusion, the Office of International Students and Scholars, and the Office for Religious, Spiritual and Ethical Life has to change our work, change our approach, change our content, change our standards, and change our actions. This shift has already begun as we assess programs, develop campus partnerships, and design a centered space for our Black student community and intentional identity spaces for our undergraduate, graduate, professional, interfaith and international students. We will be different, because we are different.
Happy Juneteenth!
Ezinne Arizor
Advisor, Office of International Students and Scholars
Sharon Chapman
Department Coordinator, OISS, CDI & ORSEL
India Baker Hudspeth
Advisor, Office of International Students and Scholars
Alayna Hutchinson
Advisor, Office of International Students and Scholars
Rev. Callista Isabelle
Director, Office for Religious, Spiritual and Ethical Life
Lara Jennings
Advisor, Office of International Students and Scholars
Natasha Mokeyeva
Advisor, Office of International Students and Scholars
Jeanne Pizarro
Advisor, Office of International Students and Scholars
Kaaren Quezada
Senior Advisor, Office of International Students and Scholars
Casey Schodl
Administrative Coordinator, Office of International Students and Scholars
Claire Seely
Advisor, Office of International Students and Scholars
Travis Tucker
Associate Director, Center for Diversity and Inclusion
Martha Turner
Associate Director, Office of International Students and Scholars
Alma von Gontard
Associate Director, Office of International Students and Scholars
Michelle Wagner
Administrative Coordinator, Office of International Students and Scholars
Desirée Waits
Advisor, Office of International Students and Scholars
Stephanie Weiskopf
Associate Director
Mark Kamimura-Jiménez, PhD
Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs
Dean of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion