Happy Juneteenth!

This year, June 19 marks 159 years since enslaved people in Confederate territory learned in 1865 they had been freed by the Emancipation Proclamation. (Learn more about the historical legacy of Juneteenth here.)

Not only do we mark that important historic event, but we celebrate and show respect for Black history, tradition and culture. To recognize the federal holiday, UW Tacoma will fly the Pan-African flag from June 13 to 20.

Tacoma will be joining many other locations around the state with a Juneteenth celebration from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Stewart Heights Park. Thousands will enjoy performances, food and the 2nd annual Juneteenth Pageant. Information about many more Juneteenth celebrations and resources is available via The Whole U.

However you choose to celebrate, let us remember that we are celebrating the strength and power of our diversity. When we publicly display how we value each other and our differences, at the same time we are celebrating how much we have in common, how we are all human. Or, as Desmond Tutu said, “My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together.”