Use the Juneteenth holiday to create a better history

Published 1:30 am Sunday, June 19, 2022

The story of Juneteenth — June 19, 1865 — is a remarkable one. To quote New York Times columnist Jamelle Bouie: ”Juneteenth may mark just one moment in the struggle for emancipation, but the holiday gives us an occasion to reflect on the profound contributions of enslaved black Americans to the cause of human freedom.” Day after day, year after year my ancestors were living through a time when even the idea of freedom was just a dream.

My great-great-grandfather, Thomas Holden was the son of slaves. He was born into slavery. His parents were born into slavery and died in slavery. During the years I knew him. He would share many stories with us that were passed down from his parents.

I recall that the teachers in our little segregated school in Robeline, La., often called on Mr. Holden to visit our class to give voice to these narratives. These stories were and are a direct link to our shared history, and our shared history lives through them and through all of us.

By commemorating, respecting and learning from the sacrifices of our past not just as a family but as a people, we create the opportunity to rise up and make a better history for those who come after us.

Happy Juneteenth.

John Lovick

Mill Creek