161 years ago, on June 19, 1865, freedom finally rang out for over 250,000 African Americans still being held in slavery in Galveston, Texas. Even though slavery had already been declared illegal years earlier, word and enforcement hadn’t made it there yet. Truth be told, not everything changed overnight even after slavery was abolished, but it was the principle and the promise of freedom finally reaching those who had long been waiting for it.
So today, we celebrate Juneteenth, reflection, freedom, culture, and the strength of a people who are still going.
Happy Juneteenth!
Galveston dock workers, year unknown. It has been recorded that the dockworkers were among the first to hear the announcement about freedom.
My name is Erykah Gray, but most people know me as Miss Gray. I’m from Centreville, a small town in southern Mississippi that I’m proud to call home. I earned my bachelor’s degree in English from The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg and later completed a Master of Arts in Literature at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. I’m currently a doctoral student at the University of Louisiana at Monroe because I truly believe learning never stops. Teaching isn’t just what I do; it’s a part of who I am. I love speaking, writing, and encouraging others to find their voice. Each day in my classroom, I work to make learning engaging and meaningful while helping my students grow into confident, inspired thinkers ready to take on the world. Here, I hope to do the very same.
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