Reflecting on Freedom, Resilience, and the Work of Henry Louis Gates Jr.
The power of history, media, and public knowledge helps shape our futures, and Juneteenth is a reminder of that across borders. I find myself reflecting each year on its significance, not just in the U.S., but here in Canada too, especially during these trying times. With a hope that we never revisit the injustices of eras like Jim Crow, we must stay grounded in memory. As we mark Juneteenth from across the border, I want to honour the powerful legacy of Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr., whose work continues to shape how we understand the weight of history and freedom.
Juneteenth, Galveston, and the Truth Behind Freedom Delayed
Gates reminds us that Juneteenth (June 19, 1865) is more than just a date: it’s a symbolic moment when the last enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were formally freed, not by the Emancipation Proclamation alone, but because the Union Army had finally taken control. Through his research and storytelling, from Finding Your Roots to documentaries on Black history, Gates helps connect the dots between freedom, memory, and justice. Without a past, there is no future.
Watch the video below to hear him unpack the real story of Juneteenth and why it still matters today:
Watch on YouTube
