By John H. Haas | Current
Published in June of 2021
SUMMARY: U.S. history professor at Bethel University John H. Haas suggests that Juneteenth is a time for Americans to reflect on “how hard America has found it to live up to its own ideals” while pondering why America is the only nation that required a war, the bloodiest war in its history, to repeal slavery.
KEY QUOTE: “Juneteenth could be an occasion for reflecting upon questions such as these. And more: What was it about America that made it cling to slavery with such bloody tenacity, even at the risk of alienating the opinions of mankind? How was it that so many Americans would choose to sever their ties with the republic—and their brothers and sisters—over seeing slavery infringed upon? How is it that a people could wage war with itself to such astonishing, murderous, effect? And in what context should we place that conflict? Is it an anomaly? Or should we see the violence of the Civil War as part of a larger pattern, intertwined with the rebellion that birthed the nation nearly a century earlier, the racial violence of lynchings and massacres like that of Tulsa, and the violent protests that have rocked the nation from Kent State to January 6th? And if so, what shapes that pattern?”
DID YOU KNOW? We have a learning capsule about Juneteenth with resources to help you faithfully learn about the holiday.
Read more at Current
More curated resources on Juneteenth:
MOVIE: Juneteenth – Faith & Freedom
Visiting historical locations such as a sugar plantation in Galveston, TX while talking with historians, residents, and pastors host Rasool Berry details the journey from slavery to Juneteenth being declared a national holiday while discussing the thread of faith embedded into the Black community. Inspiring, informative, and engaging – highly recommended.
LEARNING CAPSULE: Juneteenth
What is Juneteenth? Why do we celebrate it? How should we celebrate it? After reading the following articles, listening to the podcast, and watching the show, you should understand what the holiday is and why we celebrate and/or commemorate it.
BOOK: On Juneteenth
In a previously curated article Jemar Tisby aptly recommends that white and Black Americans should commemorate Juneteenth differently. One of the ways non-Black Americans can commemorate the holiday is to learn about the history of Black people in America. On Juneteenth consists of a collection of six engrossing essays interlacing author Annette Gordon-Reed’s memories from…
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