Juneteenth

With July 4th right around the corner, it’s only right that we first recognize another day of freedom – Juneteenth! Even though Juneteenth was deemed a federal holiday in 2021, many Americans still don’t know why we celebrate it. 

What is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth commemorates the ending of slavery in the US and has been referenced as the nation’s second independence day.

Here is a timeline in review:

• Jan 1, 1863 – President Abraham Lincoln signs the Emancipation Proclamation
• April 9, 1865 – General Robert E. Lee surrendered, an event generally regarded as the end of the Civil War, but Confederate holdouts continued moving farther out, towards Texas
• June 19, 1865 – Union soldiers entered Galveston and announced that the over 250,000 still enslaved black people in Texas were finally free by executive decree

So while white colonists in America had been celebrating their own freedom from Britain, it would still be another 89 years before black Americans received their literal freedom from enslavement by their own American counterparts. Juneteenth was the breaking of chains that gave black people the glimpse of a new future in America. That being said…

If we return to our earlier timeline:

• • Jan 1, 1863 – President Abraham Lincoln signs the Emancipation Proclamation
  • April 9, 1865 – General Robert E. Lee surrendered, an event generally regarded as the end of the Civil War, but Confederate holdouts continued moving farther out, towards Texas
  • June 19, 1865 – Union soldiers entered Galveston and announced that the over 250,000 still enslaved black people in Texas were finally free by executive decree
  • December 24, 1865 – The Ku Klux Klan is created
  • Early 1870s – Jim Crow laws were put in place and mandatory racial segregation was enacted

Thereby proving that laws alone don’t change hearts and minds.

There is Still More Work to be Done

Furthermore, anti-miscegenation laws – laws criminalizing interracial marriages – were alive and well until the 1960s. Redlining wasn’t legally fought until the 1960s and 70s. The “War on Drugs” was really hitting its stride in the 80s. The examples of institutionalized and systemic racism are unfortunately too long to count.

So both can be true: Juneteenth and the upending of the institution of slavery are so worthy of celebration. AND there is still more work to be done. The evidence of systemic racism is woven so deeply into the fabric of our society that it can be difficult to recognize:

For instance, when you hear someone reference: “when women received the right to vote”, “when Americans got their independence”, “when kids started going to school”, does your immediate, implicit narrative include populations outside of white Americans? If not, time to challenge your own narratives.

While these mindsets may seem harmless, it’s the very nature of this implicit bias that shows that black people are still “not part of the conversation” in many facets – both figuratively and literally. This lack of inclusion – or worse: active, hostile racism – leads to an increased allostatic load on black Americans.

What is Allostatic Load?

Allostatic load refers to the cumulative wear and tear on the body due to chronic stress. For Black Americans, this load is significantly heavier, as the stressors they face are both pervasive and persistent.

Allostasis is the process by which the body achieves stability through physiological or behavioral change. In the face of stress, our bodies release hormones like cortisol to help us cope. While beneficial in short bursts, chronic stress leads to a continuous release of these hormones, causing long-term damage to the body and mind. This accumulation of stress and its impacts is known as the allostatic load.

Unique Stressors Faced by Black Americans

Black Americans encounter a unique set of stressors that contribute to a higher allostatic load. These include:

1. Racism and Discrimination: Daily experiences of racism, whether overt or subtle, create a constant state of vigilance and stress. This persistent exposure has been linked to various health issues, including hypertension, heart disease, and mental health disorders.
2. Socioeconomic Disparities: Economic stress, including job insecurity, lower wages, and limited access to quality education and healthcare, disproportionately affect Black communities. This economic strain exacerbates the allostatic load, leading to poorer health outcomes.
3. Residential Segregation: Many Black Americans live in neighborhoods with limited access to nutritious food, safe recreational spaces, and healthcare facilities. The stress of living in such environments, combined with exposure to violence and environmental toxins, further elevates the allostatic load.
4. Microaggressions: As previously referenced, these are everyday verbal, behavioral, or environmental slights that communicate hostile or derogatory attitudes. The cumulative effect of these microaggressions contributes significantly to the allostatic load by perpetuating a sense of inferiority and chronic stress.

Health Implications

The increased allostatic load borne by Black Americans leads to a host of adverse health outcomes. Higher rates of chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease are observed in Black communities. Additionally, the psychological impact manifests as higher rates of depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders.

Addressing the Issue

Mitigating the allostatic load for Black Americans requires systemic changes:

1. Policy Reform: Implementing policies that address economic inequality, improve access to quality education and healthcare, and dismantle institutional racism is critical.
2. Community Support: Strengthening community networks and providing culturally sensitive mental health services can help individuals cope with stress.
3. Public Awareness: Increasing awareness about the impact of chronic stress and allostatic load can foster empathy and drive collective action towards creating equitable environments.

We would love to hear – what would you add?

Happy Juneteenth, N&S fam!