“Joy is a part of our inheritance. . . .It is my responsibility in this lifetime, in this generation to really revel in the joy that has been passed on to me through the impossible, through the insurmountable, through so much grotesque horror and brutality (of enslaved Black people). That this joy was passed forward like an envelope that was read and carefully sealed again and passed on to the next generation, and carefully read and passed onto the next. . . .It is our duty to be seen in the power of that joy.
—-Esperanza Spalding
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers brought the news of freedom to enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas, two months after the Confederacy had surrendered. That was also nearly three years after the Emancipation Proclamation purported to free enslaved Black people in the Southern states.
Our struggle as Black people is in service of liberation, equity, and justice. It is a movement for social good that elevates and amplifies the voice of all marginalized people. In 2021, Juneteenth was named a federal holiday in the United States and is not only a time of reflection on the history of Black people, it is a stand for joy, faith, resilience, and strength especially now in the face of the dismantling of DEI programs, political fragmentation, and heightened anxiety of what is to come. It is a reminder that nothing is too small for joy, and nothing can shatter the resolute spirit of joy that is the gift of our ancestors that we pass on to our descendents.
As we navigate climate crisis, war, violence, and social inequities and consider new ways of connecting, gathering, being, and belonging with each other and in the world. Let’s turn toward joy, Black joy, joy that uplifts, embodies and sustains our true inheritance.
Please join my friends at the Center for Courage & Renewal for this live online event.
Together, we’ll reflect on:
- How the principles of healing and nonviolence invite us to respond to trauma – both personal and collective – with courage, compassion, and resolve.
- The inner work required to stay grounded and whole while engaging in outer work for justice and societal change.
- What it looks like to build communities rooted in trust, healing, and mutual accountability.
- How we can navigate conflict and uncertainty without losing sight of our deepest values or shared humanity.
This is a “registration by donation” event. We welcome you to give what you can – every contribution, large or small, supports the Center for Courage & Renewal in offering spaces and resources for reflection, connection, and renewal.
Make a donation of $50 or more and receive a copy of A Hidden Wholeness by Parker J. Palmer or Fierce Vulnerability by Kazu Haga. Make a $75 donation and receive both! (For those who live outside of the United States, you will receive a link after the event to access the E-Book version of either of these books.)
