The Importance of Juneteenth by Earlene Cox (CAC Artist & Board Member)

Women Talk (from the Conversations in Black Series) by Earlene Cox

As an African American, Juneteenth is a reminder of the very slow path and never ending journey African Americans have been pursuing since slavery to fully participate in the U.S.  From the date the Emancipation Proclamation was signed in 1863 and under laws passed until now, African Americans having the legal right to be free and to participate equally and fairly in this country has never translated into the intended immediate access intended by those laws. 

It took two and ½ years after the Emancipation Proclamation for many slaves to learn they had been technically freed. This was what Juneteenth commemorated.  Freedom was a mere technicality and not an actuality. In fact, during the two and ½ year period after the signing of the Proclamation, the former slaves remained in bondage even though it was illegal and they continued to be forced to work for their masters. 

During my lifetime and in 1964, some 94 years after the 14th amendment assuring equal protection under the law was signed, a Civil Rights Law was passed. Under this law in 1966 I along with several African American students integrated an all white high school. I know up close and personal what discrimination feels like. So for me, celebrating Juneteenth continues to highlight all the delays in freedom and equality that continues today despite the Emancipation Proclamation, the 14th Amendment and the 1964 Civil Right law. And so, the journey and battle continues because in 2021 we still have to argue that Black Lives Matter and always have.

E. Cox

Watch Earlene’s Virtual Artist Talk from September 2020 - America’s Enduring Burden

Watch The Role of Art in the Fight for Social Justice Panel Discussion featuring Earlene Cox from October 2020

View Works by Earlene Cox in the Shop@CAC

“Victory” Sculpture by Earlene Cox