As an organization dedicated to supporting children and families in crisis, we recognize that holidays can be a delicate and nuanced time for many. In this series, Purposeful Perspectives, we asked our staff members to select a season, month, or day that is meaningful to them to share with our CASA community. Thank you for joining us as we take a deeper look behind the celebrations that fill our lives.
A Day to Celebrate and Mourn
By Dr. LaFayette Young, Jr.
Picture this: It’s 1863, and the proclamation of freedom has been declared for all enslaved people. Yet, the news didn’t reach some in Texas and surrounding areas. The horrific injustice of enslavement, with its practices perpetuating inequity and discrimination, left scars that still affect us today. As we commemorate the liberation of children and families in 1865, we honor African American culture by educating ourselves about the profound impact of enslavement.
Juneteenth, also known as Jubilee, is a day to not only celebrate freedom but also to mourn the ongoing systemic injustices that affect Black Americans and, by extension, all of America. Juneteenth is not just Black history; it is American history. We owe our gratitude to the leaders who fought to make June 19th a federal holiday, acknowledging this significant chapter in our nation’s story.
I invite you to celebrate African American culture with dance, music, and food, honoring African American people not as a race construct, but as a vibrant and enduring culture. #doitfortheculture
Featured Posts
Beyond the Courtroom: Advocating for a Child’s Educational Future
When Emily and her infant daughter entered foster care, they were placed with a relative. During the case investigation, I learned that Emily had not attended formal school since the third grade. Although her parents had provided an online educational program, there had been little follow-up to ensure she was making progress.
Purposeful Perspectives: Why Advocacy Is Personal for Me
For October's Purposeful Perspectives blog Executive Director of Dougherty County CASA, Charlene Maldonado, reflects on what October means to her.
Advocacy in Action: Seeing the Whole Family to Serve the Child
"One of the greatest rewards of being a CASA volunteer comes long after the court hearings have ended, and the case has been closed. Occasionally, a text message, photograph, or email arrives unexpectedly. It may be a picture of a child smiling on the first day of school, celebrating a birthday, earning an award, or simply enjoying life with family. Those moments are powerful reminders that our work extends beyond court reports and recommendations. They remind us that the relationships we build and the advocacy we provide can have a lasting impact on a child's life."
