Where Do We Go From Here? The Fight Beyond Juneteenth by Ebonie Riley
When I was young, my father would tell me that the 19th of June was not the exact day the Negro was freed; it’s the day they told them that they were free. Then, visible shackles were removed and replaced with invisible institutional shackles. So, every Juneteenth, and every day thereafter, I reflect on our continued struggle to experience the freedom that my ancestors longed for. This year, as the shackles tighten, I’m as determined as I’ve ever been.
As a Millennial civil rights organizer and strategist, I have had the privilege to be trained in social justice work by Rev. Al Sharpton, in the spirit and tradition of Dr. King. Every year on Juneteenth, I think back on Dr. King’s monumental work, “Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?,” and ask the big questions: Are we staying true to Dr. King’s legacy and cause? Where we are now in our continued struggle for freedom?
Looking back on this last year, we see strong evidence of those invisible shackles my father described. COVID-19 challenged all Americans — but Black Americans bore a heavier burden: financially, health-wise, and with the added daily struggle around issues of police brutality. Efforts were made to tighten our shackles and limit our fight for freedom states changed laws or proposed legislation intended to counteract the people’s will for a more just country — a place in which we could all be free. According to the Brennan Center, between January 1 and May 14, 2021, at least 14 states enacted 22 new laws that restrict access to the vote. There are at least 61 bills still pending that would make voting harder to do.
Young people grew tired of seeing modern-day lynchings at the hands of rogue police officers fill their social media feed. As the videoed murder of George Floyd played on a seemingly never-ending loop, young people donned COVID masks and peacefully marched in the streets, demanding that the invisible shackles be removed. Legislators on Capitol Hill began talking about comprehensive police reform. As he eulogized George Floyd, Rev. Al Sharpton called for a massive march on Washington. That August, a diverse group of over 200,000 people attended the National Action Network’s Commitment March, avoiding any related COVID-19 spikes along the way. Months later, we witnessed the first steps in objectivity as police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted for George Floyd’s murder. We felt sorrow and relief and advocated for the passage of federal police legislation currently being stalled. The truth? We are still not free.
And yet, we continue to try to bend America towards justice. The question then: What will we do? How can we move forward? While some actively work to limit our freedoms, we, like our ancestors, are resilient people. We’re dismantling generational curses, destroying stigmas about mental health, self-care, and other taboo topics in our community. We continue to create trends on platforms not designed for us. We find joy and extend our brilliance. And while our challenges are many, our resolve is deep. Juneteenth and beyond, let’s reflect on the many battles before us, along with those ahead and continue our quest, until these shackles live in memory only, in an America that truly becomes the land of the free and home of the brave.
Ebonie Riley is the Washington D.C. Bureau Chief for the National Action Network. To keep up with her work visit www.nationalactionnetwork.net
