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Juneteenth: Honoring the Past by Building a Racially Just Future

Juneteenth is a day for remembrance and reflection on the struggle for freedom that Black Americans have pursued for more than 400 years.

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Published on Jun 19, 2020

Juneteenth is a day for remembrance and reflection on the struggle for freedom that Black Americans have pursued for more than 400 years. While this anniversary marks the formal adoption of the end of slavery, it is vital for all of us to understand that the institution itself merely morphed and evolved into a more politically palatable form that lived on in Jim Crow laws and continues today through our nation’s system of incarceration. 

Black Americans continue to be disproportionately harmed by a discriminatory enforcement of unjust laws, including the prohibitions exercised under the War on Drugs, and critical work remains to undo the damaging systems that uphold white supremacy and prevent far too many of our neighbors and loved ones from pursuing lives full of health, freedom, and joy.

While Juneteenth is an important milestone on the pathway towards liberty and justice for all, current protests against racism demonstrate how far we still have to go. Our reflection on this day should serve as a reminder that we all must redouble our efforts to truly secure the rights and freedoms afforded to every individual in our nation so that we ultimately secure the promise of America envisioned by our forebears.

At New Jersey Policy Perspective, the values of equity, justice, and prosperity for all lie at the heart of our work and mission. We sincerely appreciate the privilege of pursuing this work in collaboration with you and know, with absolute certainty, that our commitment to racial and economic equity in the Garden State will yield a better society where the barriers to health and happiness are fully dismantled for all.

Happy Juneteenth.

Author

  • Brandon McKoy, President, is the chief executive of NJPP and leads the organization's efforts in shaping policy debates to advance economic justice for the many, not a chosen few. Prior to being named President of NJPP in February 2019, Brandon served as NJPP's Director of Government and Public Affairs, where he designed and implemented the organization's outreach, advocacy, and government relations activities. He also produces timely, credible and accessible research and analysis on issues including, but not limited to, economic security, the social safety net and economic opportunity.

    Brandon’s research interests include: state tax policy, the minimum wage, paid sick leave, the earned income tax credit, urban planning and criminal justice.

    Before joining NJPP in August 2014 as a national fellow under the State Priorities Partnership’s and Center on Budget and Policy Priorities’ state policy fellowship program, Brandon worked as a Program Associate at The Fund for New Jersey, where he assisted in grantmaking on public policy issues that particularly affect low-income and minority populations in New Jersey. He also worked as an AmeriCorps VISTA at HANDS, Inc., a community development corporation in New Jersey, where he worked to mitigate the negative impact of foreclosures and increase citizen participation in local decision-making.

    Brandon formerly served as the Deputy Chapter Director of New Leaders Council – New Jersey and is an alumnus of the 2013 fellows class. He currently serves on the board of the New Jersey Work Environment Council, Shelterforce and the I Am Trenton Community Foundation. He received a MA in City & Regional Planning and Policy Development from Rutgers University’s Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy and holds a BS degree in Social Psychology from The College of New Jersey.

    Email: mckoy (at) njpp.org | Phone: 609-393-1145 ext. 14


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