Juneteenth and the Fight for Freedom: Honoring the Past and Confronting the Present

More than 60 years ago, brave individuals stood at the forefront of the Civil Rights Movement, demanding dignity, freedom, and equal rights for all. They faced violence, arrest, and threats—not because it was easy, but because it was necessary. The fight they waged reshaped laws and awakened the conscience of our nation. And yet, despite the progress made, today we are witnessing unsettling echoes of that era—reminders that the work of justice is not finished.

Across the country, there are efforts to limit access to the ballot box. Voting, a cornerstone of democracy and a hard-earned victory of the Civil Rights Movement, is being challenged again by new laws and regulations that disproportionately affect historically marginalized communities. These actions may not carry the overt force of poll taxes or literacy tests as in the past, but the impact—long lines, confusing rules, and silenced voices—bears a disturbing resemblance.

In schools, we see a growing reluctance to teach the full truth of our nation's history. Certain math and social studies textbooks that included references to topics like racial equity, social justice, and systemic racism have been banned, and as a result of the Stop WOKE Act, teachers in some districts have been told to remove or limit discussions about slavery, Jim Crow laws, and the Civil Rights Movement, unless presented in a way that avoids making students feel “uncomfortable.”  This trend narrows our understanding of history by presenting an incomplete or sanitized version of the past, which leaves out the complex realities that have shaped our society, including the injustices and struggles for justice. Honest education and courageous conversations are not threats, they are necessary pathways to healing, equity, and shared growth.

At the same time, some programs focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion—initiatives designed to foster understanding, belonging, and opportunity—are being reduced or eliminated in certain schools, universities, and workplaces. These reductions often come at a time when marginalized students and employees still report disproportionate barriers to success, highlighting concerns that these moves could reverse progress toward equity and inclusion in both education and the workplace.

Economic inequality, too, continues to follow racial lines. The wealth gap between Black Americans and their white counterparts remains staggering. Median White household wealth is nearly 6 times greater than that of Black households (Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 2023).

Opportunities for homeownership, access to capital, and upward mobility are still disproportionately distributed. In 2023, the homeownership gap between white and Black Americans stood at a staggering 30 percentage points—74.4% compared to 44.1%—a disparity even wider than it was in 1960, before the passage of the Fair Housing Act (Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, 2020).  

A 2020 Federal Reserve survey found 80% of white-owned businesses receive at least a portion of the financing they request—compared to only 66% of Black-owned businesses. When they do receive loans, Black-owned businesses are more likely to receive smaller amounts at higher interest rates (Davis, D.-M., 2023).

In the justice system, disparities in policing, arrests, and sentencing persist. Black Americans continue to experience higher rates of stops, use of force, and incarceration—reminding us that the demand for fair treatment under the law is just as urgent now as it was decades ago.

And yet, there is hope. There is action. There is power in community and collective will. Across the country, people come together hosting conversations, engaging in civic life, mentoring youth, and supporting efforts that promote equity and understanding. Progress is being nurtured with care and intention. Justice, after all, is not a guarantee, it is a shared responsibility.

Juneteenth reminds us of that truth. It celebrates the delayed but eventual arrival of freedom, and it reminds us that liberation is not always immediate—but it is always worth fighting for. Today, we honor the spirit of Juneteenth not only by remembering what was, but by committing ourselves to what still can be. We speak up, we show up, and we push forward—not because the road is easy, but because the dream of justice is too precious to abandon.

We are the legacy of those who marched, sat in, organized, taught, and believed in a better tomorrow. And just as they did, we carry the work forward—not with despair, but with determination, hope, and a belief that freedom must be for all of us, or it is for none of us. Below are resources to help you engage in civic life, foster understanding, and contribute to a more just and inclusive community.

Resources: 

Statewide & Regional Organizations

• Nebraska Appleseed: A nonprofit organization that fights for justice and opportunity for all Nebraskans, focusing on issues like child welfare, immigration policy, affordable healthcare, and poverty. https://neappleseed.org/ 

• ACLU of Nebraska: For over 50 years, the ACLU has worked in courts, legislatures, and communities to protect the constitutional and individual rights of all people in Nebraska. https://www.aclunebraska.org/ 

• Nebraskans for Peace: A statewide grassroots advocacy organization working nonviolently for peace with justice through community-building, education, and political action. https://www.nebraskansforpeace.org/ 

Omaha-Based Initiatives

• Urban League of Nebraska: Seeks to build a resilient North Omaha community by helping clients navigate challenges and negotiating solutions through strategic partnerships. https://urbanleagueneb.org/ 

• Inclusive Communities: Provides education and advocacy related to diversity and inclusion, aiming to eliminate racism and empower communities. https://www.inclusive-communities.org/ 

• I Be Black Girl: A collective that creates space for Black-identifying women and girls to grow, connect, and give. https://www.ibeblackgirl.com/ 

• Black Men United: A grassroots organization working with Black men of various ages to make sustainable change in the Metropolitan Omaha area through trainings, programming, and events. http://blackmenunited.org/ 

Faith-Based & Rural Organizing

• R.A.R.E. (Racial Awareness, Reconciliation, and Engagement): A ministry of the Nebraska Synod ELCA dedicated to energizing the church to combat the sin of racism through awareness, reconciliation, and engagement. https://nebraskasynod.org/ministries/justice-and-advocacy/rare/ 

• That Ain’t Right (Wayne, NE): A community group formed to shed light on discrimination in Wayne and beyond, promoting racial justice through education and community events. https://www.facebook.com/ThatAintRightWayneNE 

References: 

Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. (2023, October). Changes in U.S. family finances from 2019 to 2022. https://www.federalreserve.gov/publications/october-2023-changes-in-us-family-finances-from-2019-to-2022.htm

National Association of Realtors. (2023, March 2). Racial minority groups increased their homeownership rates while still facing significant homebuying challenges. https://www.nar.realtor/newsroom/racial-minority-groups-increased-their-homeownership-rates-while-still-facing-significant-homebuying-challenges

Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. (2020, January 28). Minority firms have harder time obtaining bank financing, Fed analysis finds. https://www.atlantafed.org/economy-matters/community-and-economic-development/2020/01/28/minority-firms-have-harder-time-obtaining-bank-financing-fed-analysis-finds

Davis, D.-M. (2023, January 6). Black founders still raised just 1% of all VC funds in 2022. TechCrunch. https://techcrunch.com/2023/01/06/black-founders-still-raised-just-1-of-all-vc-funds-in-2022/