From liberation to food justice for Black communities
June 12, 2024
Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom but also a day to acknowledge the immense contributions of Black labor to the foundation and growth of the United States. Let’s honor the resilience and culture of Black Americans as well as their enduring struggles for equity and justice – including with food and nutrition.
It’s celebrated on June 19th every year and marks a significant moment in American history. On this day in 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, delivering news of freedom for enslaved Black Americans – more than two years after President Abrabam Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. Juneteenth, therefore, symbolizes the delayed but eventual liberation of Black Americans from slavery. And it’s observed annually as a day of freedom, reflection, and community.
As an organization committed to advancing equity and justice in all areas of our work, the Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger recognizes the multigenerational trauma of Black Americans, including slavery. Our collective efforts must be rooted in acknowledging this heinous history and addressing deep-rooted adversity if we want to move towards a Colorado where everyone who lives here can access the food they choose, where they want it, and when they need it. (Read more in our equity statement.)
Black communities have faced significant barriers to accessing nutritious, affordable, and culturally affirming foods, which directly impacts one’s ability to live a meaningful, active, and healthy life. This is due to systemic racism – the deeply entrenched and institutionalized discrimination that affects every aspect of life, from housing and education to employment and criminal justice. And it’s perpetuated by policies, practices, and social norms that create and maintain a cycle of racial injustice. Historical practices like slavery, sharecropping, segregation, and discriminatory lending have created lasting economic and health disparities as well as limited opportunities for Black Americans.
Here at the Blueprint, we believe that food is a human right. We’re committed to working alongside community to address such oppression and advocate for sustainable policies and practices that ensure fair treatment and opportunities within our food systems. Now, with an intentional focus on activating our network of partners to collectively achieve food sovereignty for all living in Colorado, the Blueprint aims to support communities in defining, controlling, and owning every facet of their local food system – from land, water, transportation, processing, and retail.
In honor of Juneteenth, we encourage you to join us as we seek to create a more just and equitable society for all. Here are a few ways to get started:
Educate yourself about the history and meaning of Juneteenth. Here’s one recommendation: National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Support Black-owned businesses, including local farms, ranches, and other food enterprises to bolster economic stability and resilience in Black communities.
Advocate for food justice policies and practices, ranging from local to national matters, that aim to dismantle systems of oppression, improve equitable food access, boost sustainable agriculture, and advance community-owned food systems.
Participate community-led initiatives like community gardens, food co-ops, community-supported agriculture (also known as CSAs), educational and outreach activities, and other efforts that promote food justice and sovereignty.
Get involved with the Blueprint and its network of partners. Learn more about what we do and ways that you can engage in our work.