For Juneteenth 2023, justice educator Ericka Hart had some choice words for white and non-Black people of color on what they can do to support Black people on this federal holiday. Her solution? Reparations on demand.
Making this a moment to financially uplift Black people, businesses, and the overall community, Hart reminded her followers who this day is really for.
“You have the day off, job, a house, material needs because of our labor. We don’t need no google doodle, pay up! If you don’t have the day off, YOU STILL benefit from the institution of slavery and subsequent disenfranchisement and genocide of Black people. PAY UP!”
While the U.S. government won’t officially give what Hart considers “long overdue to the descendants of chattel slavery,” she believes Juneteenth has the potential to be “the greatest mutual aid opportunity to date.”
Urging non-Black people to support Blacks monetarily by giving “paid time off check to a Black person,” Hart also encouraged Black people to post their information in the comments.
In her caption, Hart detailed three ways in which Juneteenth can be a call to action to grant Black people the financial backing they were once promised, f
irst by petitioning their state governments and supporting the Black people who are currently advocating for the official establishment of reparations.Hart then encouraged the continuous support and validation of Black reparations activists who understand no additional reason is needed for Black people to receive financial compensation. She emphasized that no state legislation without “individual compensation” would suffice, as funding is crucial to holistic reparations for Black people. Hart noted that the U.S. can fund foreign war efforts with ease and thus can break the bank to pay the very people who “were forced to build the entire economic infrastructure of this country.”
The content creator encouraged all white people, and people of color who want to show support, to repost while keeping their contributions private, and to keep constant pressure on state legislators.
Juneteenth, she reminded, is a day honoring the strength and determination of Black people throughout history.
“Our ancestors free themselves through rebellion, revolt, escape, maroonage, armed resistance, spiritual work and warfare, over the course of 400 plus years,” she wrote.
Even as the notion of freedom changes, the plight remains.
Celebrate Juneteenth 2023 with BLACK ENTERPRISE with monthlong content detailing the history of Black prosperity and banking, and the future of investing and financial literacy for Black communities.
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