Alisa Hamilton’s Post

Juneteenth is America’s Second Independence Day. To learn more, here’s a short but informative article from The Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture

On this #Juneteenth, it's important for those of us working in #internationaleducation and US #highereducation to recognize our responsibility to provide #students, including #internationalstudents, an understanding of the complexity of US #history. The Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture has a great overview of the Juneteenth Holiday - the second independence day. It's a great starting point to educate yourself and others about the history of #emancipation and the struggle of enslaved peoples for #freedom. https://lnkd.in/e4dghvjh

Juneteenth, marking the end of slavery in the U.S., is a profound celebration of freedom and resilience. Its significance extends beyond American borders, symbolizing the universal struggle for human rights and equality. As we honor Juneteenth, we recognize the ongoing fight against injustice worldwide and reaffirm our commitment to a future where liberty and dignity are upheld for all people, everywhere.   The National Museum of African American History and Culture notes, “The historical legacy of Juneteenth shows the value of never giving up hope in uncertain times.”     If you would like to learn more about Juneteenth, head to the link here: https://buff.ly/3l5jJhH

#DidYouKnow Juneteenth’s historical roots trace back to 1865? While officially recognized as a national holiday in 2021, June 19 has held significant meaning in American history for much longer. Check out this article from The New York Times to learn about the history of #JuneteenthIndependenceDay, how it’s celebrated across the country and its contemporary significance: https://lnkd.in/dQP3RmM #Juneteenth #FreedomDay #EmancipationDay

"The historical legacy of Juneteenth shows the value of never giving up hope in uncertain times." This wonderful article explains the history and significance of Juneteenth. https://lnkd.in/egmGfHQ2  

Learn about the important and remarkable history of #Juneteenth:

Today as we celebrate Juneteenth, let's use this day to reflect, educate ourselves, and reaffirm our commitment to building a more inclusive and equitable future. Learn more about the history of Juneteenth: https://s.si.edu/3VNeXsf

Did you know the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture has two artifacts so large that the museum’s foundation had to be designed around their placement? Southern Railway Car No. 1200, a segregated passenger car from the Jim Crow era, and the bars and gate for the prison cell from cell no. 3 of Camp A at Angola prison in Louisiana. I became an Ambassador for the NMAAHC the moment I heard it was being conceived. I didn’t know how I’d be involved, but I wanted to put my resources where my heart was. In 2012, I signed on as an Ambassador, four years before the museum was completed and opened to the public. La Fleur Paysour, a dear friend and fellow alum from my alma mater, was the NMAAHC public affairs liaison and eventual Communications Director when she invited me for a visit. She handed me a hard hat, and we walked over to the site’s foundation being poured. We stared down into that pit to observe Southern Railway Car No. 1200 being permanently enshrined in the base of that museum’s foundation. It was a quiet moment; we didn’t say much. But we took it in, together. La Fleur would eventually travel across the globe to help tell the story of these varying artifacts, and the ways they connected to a shared history, awareness, and ultimately a reimagining of what folks thought they knew about Black history. So why am I sharing any of this? Today marks #Juneteenth, a day that commemorates the date when enslaved people of African descent in Galveston learned of their freedom in the United States. In many ways, this day serves as a reminder of the ways in which justice and convenience are at odds in this country and continue to be. In a time when headlines highlight how our country has often failed to fulfill its promises, and our approaches to ethics and accountability frequently take a backseat to profit-driven motives, let us remember that the past isn’t merely a historical textbook; it’s a living, dynamic force shaped by our present actions and choices. May we find ways to work together in service of the freedoms of others, and recognize the roles learning AND unlearning play in that possibility. And may we find ways for communities and institutions to play a greater shared role in taking those insights and amplifying them to the world.

To quote my brilliant friend Ken Miles, “…this day serves as a reminder of the ways in which justice and convenience are at odds in this country and continue to be. In a time when headlines highlight how our country has often failed to fulfill its promises, and our approaches to ethics and accountability frequently take a backseat to profit-driven motives, let us remember that the past isn’t merely a historical textbook; it’s a living, dynamic force shaped by our present actions and choices. May we find ways to work together in service of the freedoms of others, and recognize the roles learning AND unlearning play in that possibility. And may we find ways for communities and institutions to play a greater shared role in taking those insights and amplifying them to the world.” May this Juneteenth be a day or learning, unlearning, remembering and envisioning.

It’s African American History Month. Learn more at