It’s hard to believe that one hundred and fifty-five years ago on June 19, 1865, slavery officially ended in the United States, nearly two years after the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation. It’s hard to believe that after 400 years of systematic control over Black and Brown bodies we are STILL fighting for equity and justice as our ancestors have done for decades. It’s hard to believe that we are still marching for BLACK LIVES to MATTER.
At Green City Force we celebrate the history of Black people and Juneteenth to REMIND Black folks that their lives are valuable, their history is valuable, they deserve equity and justice, and that BLACK LIVES MATTER. We denounce the dominant white culture by raising the voices of Black history and their contributions to society. We choose to actively combat anti-blackness and racism by celebrating the emancipation of the enslaved who have built this country, reflect on the legacy of slavery, acknowledge the generations pain & suffering that has been caused by slavery, and honor the ancestors who have come before us as a tool to combat and decolonize systematic injustice for an equitable future
Juneteenth is a day of reflection that is filled with pride as we give voice and say the names of Black folks who have contributed to greatness in society. It is a day of appreciation for the African American experience, to reflect on the progress of equity and to be intentional about how we will choose every day to not engage in practices that continue systems of oppression.
In honor of Juneteenth, Green City Force will be renaming the beds at our five farm sites to #SAYTHENAMES of Black, Indigenous, People Of Color (BIPOC) folks who have paved the way in our fight to combat social, environmental, and food injustice to create a sustainable and equitable future.
Top row: Audre Lorde, James Baldwin, Ida B. Wells – Middle row: Ron Finley, Marsha P. Johnson, Tamir Rice – Bottom row: Shirley Chisolm, Alvin Ailey, Angela Davis
Calls to Action:
- Follow us on Twitter and Instagram! Starting on Juneteenth, we will be starting the #SAYTHENAME challenge where we will honor different BIPOC leaders and speak to their legacy. Like and share these posts with your followers!
- Help us DECOLONIZE urban farming! Post a picture of the farm site closest to you or your favorite farm site and #SAYTHENAME of at least one BIPOC leader that needs to be heard & seen today!
We invite and challenge everyone in our network to say the names & teach others about Black and Indigenous history!
In service & solidarity,
Felicia Prince
Lead Social Worker