Practicing Your Praxis: Honoring Juneteenth by Taking Action Every 19th of the Month
“None of us are free until we’re all free, and we aren’t free yet. We have much more work to do, and I hope that people are willing to do it.” - Opal Lee, Grandmother of Juneteenth
Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19th, marks a pivotal moment in American history—the day in 1865 when enslaved Africans in Texas were finally informed of their freedom, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. As we commemorate this day, it’s essential to reflect on how we can honor the spirit of Juneteenth not just annually, but consistently. For self-proclaimed allies, this means moving from theoretical understanding to practical, sustained actions—what we call praxis.
Today’s Reflection:
Perpetuity: a bond or other security with no fixed maturity date. We were meant to be enslaved in PERPETUITY; we were the security bond. The economy of the country has always been a slave economy. Center Black voices and experiences and imagine how liberated we feel when celebrating what our ancestors did for us.
Understanding Praxis
Praxis is the process of enacting, embodying, and realizing theories or lessons in real-world actions. In the context of allyship, it’s about transforming our understanding of racial justice into tangible efforts that support and uplift the Black community. This Juneteenth, let’s explore how you can practice your praxis by dedicating the 19th of every month to active allyship.
Why the 19th of Every Month?
Committing to take action on the 19th of every month serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial equality and the need for continuous support and activism. It’s a way to ensure that the principles of Juneteenth remain at the forefront of our minds and actions throughout the year. Every 19th of the month Kina Reed and I will be inviting you to come and share your praxis.
Join us for our monthly "Practicing Your Praxis" meeting with Joquina Reed of Divesting From Whiteness and myself, Desireé B Stephens of Make Shi(f)t Happen. This collaborative space is dedicated to moving from theory to action in our anti-racism and anti-oppression work, supporting various marginalized groups.
Event Details:
📅 Date: The 19th of every month
⏰ Time: 11 am EST
📍 Location: Zoom Register Here
How to Practice Your Praxis
1. Educate Yourself Continuously
Why It Matters: Understanding the history and context of racial issues is foundational to effective allyship.
Action Steps: Set aside time each month to read books, watch documentaries, or attend webinars that delve into Black history and contemporary issues. Share what you learn with your network to amplify the impact.
Equity in Education: In line with creating equitable access to information, my Liberation Education newsletter and resources are not paywalled. They are available to everyone to ensure that financial barriers do not hinder learning.
2. Support Black-Owned Businesses
Why It Matters: Economic empowerment is a crucial aspect of racial justice.
Action Steps: On the 19th of each month, make a deliberate effort to purchase from Black-owned businesses. Use directories like Official Black Wall Street or WeBuyBlack to find businesses in various categories.
3. Amplify Black Voices
Why It Matters: Elevating Black voices helps ensure that those most affected by systemic racism are heard and validated.
Action Steps: Dedicate part of your day to sharing content from Black creators, activists, and thought leaders on social media. Engage with their work and encourage your followers to do the same.
4. Volunteer and Donate
Why It Matters: Financial and volunteer support helps sustain organizations working towards racial justice.
Action Steps: Choose a Black-led organization to support each month, whether through donations or volunteering your time and skills. Highlight these organizations within your community to drive further support.
5. Reflect and Take Personal Inventory
Why It Matters: Self-reflection is critical to understanding your impact and areas for growth.
Action Steps: Use journal prompts or guided reflections to assess your progress and challenges in allyship. Commit to actionable goals for the coming month based on these reflections.
6. Advocate for Policy Changes
Why It Matters: Systemic change is necessary to dismantle institutional racism.
Action Steps: Stay informed about local and national policies affecting the Black community. Use the 19th to write letters to representatives, participate in advocacy campaigns, or join local activist groups pushing for change.
A Month-by-Month Guide
To help you stay committed, here’s a month-by-month guide to practicing your praxis:
January: Focus on Black mental health. Support Black therapists or donate to mental health organizations serving the Black community.
February: In honor of Black History Month, dive deep into historical texts and documentaries. Share your learnings widely.
March: Support Black women entrepreneurs in celebration of Women’s History Month.
April: Engage with environmental justice issues impacting Black communities.
May: Focus on supporting Black artists and cultural institutions.
June: Commemorate Juneteenth with a combination of education, celebration, and activism.
July: Reflect on independence and freedom. Support organizations working towards criminal justice reform.
August: Highlight and support Black youth programs and educational initiatives.
September: Focus on Black health and wellness. Support Black-owned health and fitness businesses.
October: Celebrate Black LGBTQ+ individuals and support related organizations.
November: Acknowledge the contributions of Black veterans and support veteran organizations.
December: Reflect on the year’s efforts and set intentions for continued allyship in the new year.
Conclusion
Juneteenth is a powerful reminder of the resilience and strength of the Black community. As allies, it’s our responsibility to honor this day with more than words. By dedicating the 19th of every month to active allyship, we commit to ongoing education, support, and action. This practice of praxis ensures that our allyship is not performative but deeply rooted in sustained and meaningful efforts toward racial justice.
Let’s make every 19th a day of tangible action, reflection, and growth, embodying the true spirit of Juneteenth throughout the year.
Invitation to Join Our Community
I have created a Juneteenth Resource Guide as part of this ongoing commitment. This is a living guide, so more will be added over time. My call to action today is to grab the guide and share it with others.
My “Practicing my Praxis” commitment is to continue making education and resources accessible to all, so the guide is Pay What You Can. This creates equity in education.
Grab your “Do this, Not that: Juneteenth Edition” Resource Guide right here: Juneteenth Resource Guide
Join the Make Shi(f)t Happen online community to connect with others dedicated to sustainable advocacy and whole self-healing: Make Shi(f)t Happen Community. Let’s make a collective impact together!
Equity in Education
At the heart of our efforts lies a commitment to equity in education. We believe that access to knowledge and resources should not be hindered by financial barriers. Education is a powerful tool for liberation and empowerment, and it should be accessible to all, regardless of socioeconomic status.
Our Approach:
Liberation Education Newsletter: Our newsletter provides valuable insights, resources, and educational content without any paywalls. This ensures that everyone, regardless of their financial situation, can access the information they need to support their journey towards anti-racism and anti-oppression.
Pay What You Can Resources: We offer our guides, such as the “Do this, Not that: Juneteenth Edition” Resource Guide, on a Pay What You Can basis. This model allows individuals to contribute what they are able to while ensuring that our resources remain accessible to those who need them most.
Inclusive Learning Opportunities: Through our workshops, webinars, and community discussions, we strive to create inclusive learning environments where everyone can participate, share, and grow.
To support this work please consider becoming a paid subscriber.
In solidarity and empowerment,