Juneteenth is Not Just for Lovers

Fresh off the heals of Loving Day, comes Juneteenth -- a holiday commemorating the abolition of slavery in the United States. While this holiday's beginnings stem as far back as the late 1800s, observances have decreased since the early 20th century and this holiday now goes unrecognized by much of the American public.

Photo courtesy of juneteenth.funmunch.com

African-American women who have decided to date and/or marry outside their race are often called traitors to all that black Americans have had to overcome. They are decried as polluters of the race, gold-diggers, and shallow individuals who use procreation with white men as a way to whitewash their offspring.

Naturally, Sisters and White Misters does not share this viewpoint. Just as slavery regulated one's actions and took away the right to freedom, a demand to "maintain the race" is just as shackling. No, we aren't comparing slavery with being married to a black man, that would be ludicrous. But Juneteenth represents freedom, and with that comes the freedom to love... well... whomever one loves, regardless of the color of his skin.

Many black women who chose to be with white men don't do so out of a desire to elevate themselves to some higher status. After all, to proclaim such a thing implies that black men are unworthy as they are. Statistically speaking, black women marry outside their race less than black men do, and we must question why disparity exists. Is it because black men are more naturally attracted to white women than black women are to white men, or is it because our allegiance to a perceived racial duty keeps us from looking outside the box?

Juneteenth celebrates one of the biggest victories in American history and we are proud to stand alongside our black brothers in this first giant step toward racial equality. We can all holds hands together, while choosing our own paths to love. Bob Marley said it well: "Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery / None but ourselves can free our minds."