NSVRC & PCAR are proud to honor Juneteenth, or Emancipation Day — the oldest known celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States — and highlight its connection to the movement to end sexual violence.
Juneteenth marks a milestone for civil rights, commemorating the day when the last enslaved people in Texas learned they were free. For nearly two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation, slavery persisted in regions of the country as the Civil War continued, but on June 19, 1865, it was announced that all enslaved people were free. A historic day of freedom, Juneteenth is underrecognized and an example of the many untold truths in America’s legacy of slavery and systemic racism. This milestone serves as a reminder that even within the same country, we do not all experience the same realities when it comes to freedom, justice, and equality.
As an anti-violence organization, we know that under the strongholds of inequity, we are still not all free. While slavery has been abolished, power imbalances continue to impact communities of color in our country. This is why we commit our resources and voices to highlighting the intersections of racial justice with ending sexual assault, harassment, and abuse. All systems of abuse are interconnected, and systemic racism is no exception.
We honor Juneteenth as a celebration of freedom and Black culture and strength. We support the movement to declare Juneteenth a national holiday and a day for healing and advocacy for Black Americans. We encourage community members to take part in Juneteenth events in communities across the country and learn more about the history and legacy of this holiday.
We Can’t End Sexual Violence Without Ending Racism
We also call on our community to show your support by donating to organizations leading efforts to address the impact of domestic and sexual violence on the Black community:
Sisters of Color Ending Sexual Assault
Ujima: The National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community
The Swan Center for Advocacy & Research
We, As Ourselves led by ‘me too’ movement, National Women’s Law Center,
and Times Up Foundation