Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, Emancipation Day, Liberation Day and Jubilee Day, commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people in the United
States. Even though slavery had been abolished in January 1863, two more years passed before the Union Army entered Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, to inform still-enslaved people they “henceforth shall be free.”
Slavery cut deep scars in the United States, and those scars have been reopened again and again with subsequent systems like Reconstruction, Jim Crow laws, segregation, hate groups, and the continued uphill push for civil rights. In 2017, Willie Poinsette, long time
school-principal, mentor, and community leader, and Liberty Gonzalez founded Respond to Racism for the purpose of educating and empowering Lake Oswego and Oregon citizens to combat racism in all its forms, thereby creating a better place to live for all races and ethnicities.
Many people not directly experiencing racism may not have even known about Juneteenth until June 17, 2021, when U.S. Congress and President Biden officially signed a bill into law to make Juneteenth a federal holiday. But “not having to know” is the reason Respond to Racism is a critical organization not just for Lake Oswego, but for Oregon.
Respond to Racism’s Theory of Change begins with acknowledging systemic discrimination, implicit bias, and racial disparities in opportunities and outcomes still exist for many people of color in Oregon. We need our whole community to be educated and empowered so we can show up to collectively create tangible, sustainable change while building a more inclusive and equitable Oregon
for all.
Respond to Racism is growing and always evolving, responsive to ever-growing threats to self-determination and personal sovereignty to many in our community. For the full freedom granted to enslaved people back in 1863 to become a reality, our community must give our time, talent, and treasure. Joy for Juneteenth is a campaign to put money and vital energy into the work that Respond to Racism staff, students, and people most impacted by historical and systemic
inequity do each and every day.
Subsequent emails in this Joy for Juneteenth campaign will outline the numerous projects, successes, and achievable goals your generous tax-deductible contribution supports. These vital donations empower programs like the BIPOC Affinity group, the Youth Empowerment Committee, Community Educational Meetings, Public Art Projects, the Gloria Brown Scholarships, the all-volunteer White Accountability Committee (WAC), and RtR’s participation on
the Clackamas County Equity Coalition, to exist.
You are already a part of this work: to educate ourselves about history and current events, build safety, and empower youth and adults alike to treat each other neighborly and show up in solidarity to change policies and practices that actively harm us all. Show your joy and your accountability by supporting Respond to Racism today!
