The Legacy of Juneteenth
The Legacy of Juneteenth
WAGAP observes the holiday in honor of equity
Bingen, WA (May 24, 2023) - June 19th marks the day in 1865 when 250,000 Black Americans in Texas were informed by the Union Army that slavery had been abolished and they were now free.
President Abraham Lincoln enacted the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, and declared that “all persons held as slaves within any State…shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free.” But the conflict between North and South was still ongoing, and the Civil War didn’t end in the United States until April 9, 1865.
It had taken the nation two and a half years to bring this news to Texas and enforce the Proclamation. It further took until December 6, 1865, for the 13th Amendment of the Constitution to be ratified, officially abolishing slavery in the United States.
The date became known as “Juneteenth” and was celebrated in Texas beginning in 1866 to mark the end of slavery. It became an official state holiday in Texas in 1980 and finally became a federal holiday in 2021 when President Joe Biden signed it into law.
Agencies across the nation support the celebration of Juneteenth and other activities that recognize the importance of committing to fight structural racism and injustice. The National Community Action Partnership envisions “A nation that creates opportunities for all people to thrive, builds strong communities, and ensures a more equitable society.”
“It is so important for us all to respect the difficult history our nation has had when it comes to treating all of its people equitably,” said Leslie Naramore, executive director for Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP). “Organizations like WAGAP work day to day to help people so they can change their lives and have better futures.”
Both Washington and Oregon recognize Juneteenth as an official state holiday. Organizations such as WAGAP recognize this date and will close to observe the day.
“We hope that as more people learn about Juneteenth, they will better understand the struggles that people of color have endured throughout our country’s history,” Naramore said.
WAGAP’s Director of Equity and Inclusion, Sasha Bentley, says the organization is committed to helping local communities build just systems that improve conditions for all. “By coming together, we will build stronger communities that represent all of our populations, draw on everyone’s strengths, and offer a hand up for those who face struggles.”
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Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Community Action Agency that helps individuals, families, and communities. WAGAP addresses basic human needs, including food, shelter, energy assistance, and more, in Skamania and Klickitat Counties. For more than 50 years, WAGAP has helped people help themselves and reach self-sufficiency. Learn more at wagap.org, or contact WAGAP at (509) 493-2662 or info@wagap.org.