Commemorating Juneteenth

Dear GWSPH Community,

This Wednesday, we honor Juneteenth, a day marking June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, to declare freedom for the last enslaved people. This day came more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863. Juneteenth symbolizes the full abolition of slavery in the U.S., a pivotal moment in our history representing the end of one form of racial oppression. It’s a chance for ongoing healing and an opportunity to acknowledge and respect the culture, ingenuity, achievements, and spirit of Black Americans in spite of all.

June 19th prompts us to reflect on the injustices of both the past and the present. Today, we are confronted with efforts to undermine diversity, erase Black history, and suppress Black culture through actions like book bans and restrictions on education about race, identity, and slavery. Juneteenth stands as a proclamation of the freedom to celebrate life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, as well as the resilience of a people who have endured and overcome incredible adversity.

In public health, Black Americans face significant disparities. Systemic racism results in higher rates of chronic illnesses, limited access to quality healthcare, higher maternal mortality rates, and poorer health outcomes. At the Milken Institute School of Public Health, we are dedicated to promoting DEI in an intentional effort to promote a diverse public health workforce to address the inequities in health care and health policies that contribute to these disparities. We look to center equity and justice in our work and continue to increase our collaborations with HBCUs and other institutions aiming to amplify the voices of those most affected and fostering a more inclusive workforce.

I encourage the members of our community for whom Juneteenth is an important commemoration to take time for healing, reflection, and celebration. For others, let Juneteenth be a day of service and learning, deepening your understanding of Black history and resilience and the impacts of racism and discrimination on public health and how we can address them.

Let Juneteenth remind us to dismantle systems of racial supremacy and eradicate institutional and structural racism that impacts public health. Let's transform this celebration into a commitment to develop sustainable health equity for our communities. 

Happy Juneteenth!

- The GWSPH Office of Inclusive Excellence