2024

In his 1955 collection of essays, titled Notes of a Native Son, James Baldwin states “I love America more than any other country in this world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.” This quote has given me faith and drive since I heard it first, in my 8th grade Social Studies class, in video clip form.

The model minority myth has been a widely discussed sociological phenomenon, but like everything discussed at ARCC, it is a small piece of a much larger picture.

Now that Juneteenth is a federal holiday, we must give it the attention that we do the 4th. While I have the fondest memories of the 4th from my childhood, I am trying to balance out the importance I give to both holidays from now on. 

As we all know July 4th, 1776, was the day the US signed the Declaration of Independence from Britain. It was declared that the American people had gained Independence from British rule. That’s great and all…but what about the Black American people who were still enslaved by their other White American counterparts?

People must remember that not everyone has been freed yet, and the Fourth of July shouldn’t just be about the barbecues, get-togethers, fireworks, and parades. To honor everyone's journey, ARCC is launching an anti-racist fourth-of-July media and giving campaign.

The Fourth of July is often celebrated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, and a strong feeling of national pride. However, this day also serves as an opportunity to reflect on the true meaning of patriotism. Patriotism is not only about love for one's country but also about striving to make it better.

Many Black girls and boys find trouble in loving the skin they were born in. This Juneteenth, it is important for those born with this beautiful Black skin to take the time to see the beauty in their color. For those who need some reminding, I encourage you to check out “Pretty Brown Skin” by Maverick City Music and Eugene King. 

As many people know, Juneteenth marks the day when Union soldiers marched into Galveston Bay, Texas, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation, to announce the end of slavery and free the enslaved people there. During Juneteenth, there is much conversation about the Emancipation Proclamation.

Juneteenth is a day to celebrate our country’s second Independence Day. As a Texan, this day is especially important for us to remember and to be educated about because we were unfortunately the last state to enforce the emancipation proclamation to free all the slaves. 

They say knowledge is power. Fortunately, when it comes to Juneteenth, there’s no shortage of learning opportunities. As a Philadelphia native, I thought I’d share some city-wide events, for locals to explore.