My Turtle Tracks over the past couple of years or more, it seems, have been confined not only to around Roanoke, but to the tiny strip up and down Melrose Ave. and immediate surrounding area. There are so many exciting events being brought to the area, confirming the inestimable (past, present and future) unifying effect of the Henry Street Strip and its immediate surroundings upon this valley.
On Friday, we paused to honor Juneteenth, the day that marks the liberation of enslaved Americans and stands as one of the most profound milestones in our nation’s journey toward justice. Freedom delayed is still freedom hard-won, and this day reminds us that the arc of liberation demands not only celebration but also continued vigilance. Across Virginia, communities gathered to commemorate this moment together.
The holiday commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. It specifically marks the day in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce that the Civil War had ended and that all enslaved people were free – more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
Roanoke Cultural Collective held its 6th Annual Juneteenth Family Reunion last Saturday at the new Eureka Park & Rec Center! Other events included a bus trip to the Juneteenth concert at Booker T. Washington Monument in Rocky Mount, VA. The Harrison Museum of African American Culture celebrated Juneteenth with a “Health is Freedom Juneteenth wellness symposium on Saturday and Sunday. Both days the events were free and open to the public.
The holiday serves as a time to acknowledge the complex history of the United States, educate the public on the realities of slavery, and reflect on the ongoing journey toward racial equality.
In the Baha’i Faith, Juneteenth is increasingly celebrated as a profound milestone in the nation’s ongoing journey toward race unity and the practical application of the oneness of mankind. Baha’i teachings state that the elimination of prejudice—particularly racism—is the most challenging and vital issue facing society, and Juneteenth serves as a vital reminder of the history and resilience tied to this goal.
When looking for a Baha’i perspective on Juneteenth, the most fitting text is the ennobling “pupil of the eye” metaphor shared by the prophet-founder of the Baha’i Faith, Baha’u’llah, and expanded upon by his son, Abdu’l-Bahá
“Thou art dark in countenance and bright in character. Thou art like unto the pupil of the eye which is dark in color, yet it is the fount of light and the revealer of the contingent world.” — Abdu’l-Bahá
Investigate!
