Juneteenth: Freedom is Complicated (And So Is My Feed)

Happy Juneteenth, girlfriend.

Hopefully, four years after it became a federal holiday, I don’t have to explain why this day matters. But in case you’re new here: Juneteenth marks the emancipation of the last enslaved Black Americans in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865—two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. It’s a celebration of freedom delayed, but not denied.

And today?

It’s 7 pm Thursday, 95°. Sunny, and made for cookouts. That perfect playlist is ready. There’s good food, good company, good drinks, good vibes.

But the iced tea is cold… yet not sweet.

The phone is buzzing… but freedom isn’t ringing.

Scroll and Scream

I open Instagram and I’m hit with a wave of everything everywhere all at once. Doom-scrolling doesn’t even begin to cover it.

Here’s just a glimpse of what’s flooding my feed—on Juneteenth:

• Ongoing: ICE deportation raids continue, despite previous promises to focus only on high-priority criminal cases. Families are still being torn apart.

• June 17: Trump continues appointing controversial cabinet picks as part of his second-term plans, some with little to no relevant experience.

• June 18: Israel and Iran exchange missile fire after months of rising tension. Both sides warn the U.S. not to get involved.

• June 18: Tyler Perry, a long-standing icon in the Black community, is accused of sexual assault—shocking, heartbreaking, and deeply unsettling.

All of this… before brunch.

Can a Sista Get a Break?

On a day rooted in liberation and Black joy, I should be dancing. Laughing. Wearing my “Free-ish Since 1865” tee and posting nothing but plate pics.

But how do you celebrate when the world is on fire?

There’s a heaviness that comes with being a Black woman in America. One of care, empathy, and deep moral responsibility. I’m not in Palestine. I’m not of Latinx heritage. But my history is steeped in separation, stolen land, state violence, and silence.

So yeah, it feels like my problem.

And I know what you’re thinking:

“But what can I do?”

You reposted the graphic. You donated what you could. You called the state respresentatives. You attended the No King’s March. You’ve had the hard conversations at work and at home.

You’re exhausted.

Me too.

BET, Doechii, and Denial

Rapper Doechii said something that has stuck with me:

“Denial is a river in Egypt.”

At this year’s BET Awards she received her award for best female rap. Doechii had 60 seconds to give a classic thank-you speech: ‘God, her team, her family, her fans.’ Instead, she used her moment to spotlight injustice in her community. I hadn’t even listened to her music—but now I’m a fan. Because that act? That’s what real freedom sounds like.

Denial might be easier. But for us, ignorance has never been bliss—it’s been a threat.

Joy and Justice Aren’t Opposites

It’s emotionally conflicting to feel like you’re not allowed to be happy while the world is hurting.

But here’s what I’m choosing:

• To persist in the face of pain

• To pray even when I’m tired of hoping

• To celebrate, because our joy is resistance

If you’re overwhelmed by Trump’s threats, ICE raids, the Israel–Iran war, or the weight of another Black hero falling—

Know that you’re not alone.

You are not crazy.

You are not heartless for needing joy.

And you are not weak for feeling it all.

Keep On Keeping On

“The violence isn’t new. And neither are the lies. So what can we do when it feels like the world is falling apart?”

We do what we’ve always done:

We survive,

We show up,

And yes—we smile.

Even if it hurts.

Even if we’ve been here for a while.

Smile.

Yes, freedom is complicated. But it’s still worth celebrating. Happy Juneteenth.

How are you balancing joy and justice today?

Let me know in the comments or share with someone else who feels like it’s all too much.