Juneteenth - Rejoice in the Fight for Justice
Today is Juneteenth - known as Black Freedom Day. A time to celebrate Black people’s emancipation from chattel slavery, a truer Independence Day. We honor this day by continuing to push for justice and transformation of all systems, practice, and mentalities that uphold and maintain white supremacy.
We honor the legacy of this day by disrupting the idea that we have reached racial equity, and continuing to understand and challenge the ongoing impacts of racial segregation in our community. We commit to the cause by continuing to show up for Black people who are fighting for freedom, liberation, belonging, and our collective humanity. Even when the news cycles and social media feeds go back to “normal” it is a time to show up for Black people and fight for racial justice.
Attached is a research brief by Richard Rothstein on the history of racial exclusion of Black people in Richmond titled “How African Americans in Richmond Came to Be Segregated and Impoverished” that highlights job and housing discrimination faced by the Black community that continues to shape economic disparities and housing instability.
Read it, know it, and combat its effects in any and all ways possible.
Beyond learning and reflecting, join us this weekend for two important Juneteenth events that continue the momentum of change in our local community.
If you are interested in volunteering for this Richmond Revolution event sign-up HERE
Join Rich City Rides, the Our Power Coalition, and other community activists Sunday Morning for an art demonstration to build off of the momentum of the Black Lives Matter mural at the civic center, and call for deeper investment and reperations as a means of showing that Black Lives truly matter.
We look forward to seeing you there!