There are many people who are elated at the recognition of Juneteenth as a state holiday in Utah this June 20 — and I am one of them.

On March 24, the Utah Legislature, with bipartisan support, moved this endeavor of more than two decades across the finish line. State Rep. Sandra Hollins, community activist and NAACP Ogden leader Betty Sawyer, social justice activist Dr. Forrest Crawford, Gov. Spencer Cox and others carried a heavy mantle and did something that we seem to struggle with, not only in this state but across the nation: They found common ground and built consensus.

Utah’s public acknowledgement that freedom did not mean free for all after the Emancipation Proclamation is especially significant during a time of cultural upheaval and tension around concepts like critical race theory, equality, equity and ongoing political unrest. It shows us that we can look at our worst moments and choose our better angels.

For those of you to whom this celebration may be new, Juneteenth is a holiday that commemorates the emancipation of enslaved Blacks. It is also often observed by celebrating African American culture. First held in Galveston, Texas, it has been celebrated annually on June 19 in various parts of the United States since 1865.

While many of us grew up believing slavery ended with the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863, others have known the deeper details of freedom or a lack thereof. Enforcement of the Proclamation relied on the advance of Union Troops, which was lacking in Texas and other outposts. Thus, the delay in freedom for former slaves.

It’s hard to imagine a time when information was not available at the click of a keystroke, the swipe of a phone or the ping of a watch. Yet, 1865 reminds us that news traveled slowly, if at all. It reminds us that everyone couldn’t read (after all, it had been illegal for slaves to read and schools for poor whites and Native Americans had yet to be normalized across the states).

Recognizing this event helps us understand the fullness of history — particularly, that Black history is American history. We, too, are America. When freedom rings, the echo of the bell continues until all the corners of the country have been reached. And for this, I am grateful.

Yet, this moment of celebration is tinged with sadness. That sadness is that we continue to hide some of our history in the shadows, even now as it unfolds before us all.

As a person who was born and raised in Northern Utah, I have felt the light of freedom Lady Liberty holds from the Atlantic my entire life. Yet, I am puzzled. Why do we continue to hold our history hostage, especially the history of today that unfolds before us all?

As we prepare to celebrate Juneteenth, to see the fullness of our American history, we continue to cover up our current transgressions. I am speaking of recent events that have unfolded only to be hidden as quickly as they are revealed. To this end, we still tremble with shock over the school shootings in Uvalde, Texas; Buffalo, New York; Laguna Woods, California; or the more than 230 other mass shootings in the United States this year. We struggle with asking who, how, why? Yet when we have answers, we hide them.

I’m not talking about Second Amendment rights. I’m talking about the uncomfortable truth of what is happening across the country. People are committing crimes and not being punished for their actions. In this specific case, I am looking at our sister state, Ohio, where a former police chief was sentenced for illegally trafficking 200 fully automatic machine guns.

What might this punishment look like? Perhaps 15 or more years of prison time? Perhaps a hefty fine to remind him that crime doesn’t pay? After virtually no national news coverage, I struggled to find out the punishment for the crime and when I did, it took my breath away.

The former police chief received three years of probation with six months of home confinement. A fine of less than $12,000 was levied against him with the forfeiture of more than 100 illegally obtained machine guns, over 52,000 rounds of ammunition and $6,000 seized from his desk.

This abbreviated news account details history unfolding before us now, news that we do not want to see or acknowledge. News that is readily available, yet virtually unseen. I am hoping our better angels come into action soon so that we can match actions and outcomes openly. Our state and community leaders have demonstrated our ability to do this recently. Are we ready to do it again?

Join the state of Utah as it celebrates its first annual Juneteenth celebration with activities and events across the state. For more information, visit projectsuccessinc.org/juneteenth-2022.

Adrienne Andrews is the vice president for equity, diversity and inclusion at Weber State University. Twitter: AdieAndrewsCDO

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