Celebrate Juneteenth & Father's Day while recognizing that racism in America still exists

It’s the second year for celebrating Juneteenth as a federal holiday, which, this year, also falls on Father’s Day.

It may seem double the fun as a day off and a special treat for dads, but this day will not land gently for some.

African Americans celebrated their freedom from slavery in the United States on June 19, 1865, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. It was the day enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned they were finally free from white prejudice, and a new era for justice and equality was to begin.

Although the Black communities celebrated the day, it only took effect as a federal holiday after President Joe Biden signed legislation in 2021 to approve it.

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Black fathers still face racism 157 years after the first Juneteenth

Black Americans strived to gain their rights as citizens of the United States and paved the path for their descendants to live a better life. Their involvement became part of the essence of the U.S., and countless stories proved successful examples in politics, business, and the arts.

However, the remnant of slavery still exists. It may not be the same as it was 100 years ago, but Black families, especially fathers, are still facing racism.

A 2019 study shows that about 1 in every 1,000 black men can expect to be killed by law enforcement. On Sunday, some black sons and daughters will not be celebrating their fathers as they have already lost them.

At the beginning of 2022, a police officer fatally shot James Williams of Canton just outside of his house as Williams was firing an AR-15 in celebration of New Year’s Day.

The officer saw Williams’ head from behind his home’s wooden fence pointing his rifle upward and shooting excessively in the sky. He then aimed his gun at the wooden fence and without a warning, he shot Williams.

Williams got back inside his house and collapsed in front of his wife; he died later in Aultman Hospital leaving six daughters.

Debates went back and forth on whether the officer had to react in this manner when he saw and heard the gunfire, or should have announced himself before shooting. (The Williams family has a pending federal lawsuit against the city and the officer, both have denied wrongdoing and have said the officer feared for his safety.)

There is no doubt that Williams was wrong to fire as it’s illegal. Black people can not afford to make such mistakes, but they are human, and we all make mistakes regardless of skin, race, or ethnicity.

On this Father's Day and Juneteenth, remember the unjustifiable deaths of Black men

If Williams' death is justifiable, perhaps we should recall George Floyd’s murder.

Floyd was murdered by a police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota after a store clerk suspected Floyd might have used a counterfeit $20 bill.

The horrifying video of the incident shows two officers kneeling on Floyd’s back and neck for nearly 10 minutes. He repeatedly said he couldn't breathe, but the officers didn’t move until EMS arrived.

That was long enough to kill Floyd and leave his daughter with a painful memory of how her father was humiliated.

How can we celebrate freedom when our Black neighbors are mistreated? How can we celebrate fathers when Black men — many fathers — are seen as suspects?

Recent violent incidents against the Black community has raised a call for racial justice.

The Wooster Police Department took a step forward and announced changing its policies on chokeholds and no-knock warrants.

In a press release, the department said chokeholds and carotid control are now placed in the “use of deadly force” category. The default policy for the no-knock warrants is to seek “knock and announce” warrants and daytime warrants unless the police officer can justify the need for a no-knock warrant.

Changing policies or enacting legislation is a beam of light toward equality, but it’s not enough.

Think about how many times you point a finger at the Black person when a problem occurs.

If lawmakers have a role, we as one nation have a role as well and it starts by changing our perspective of how we see people of color.

We owe it to the sons and daughters who are grieving while remembering their fathers.

We owe it to our Black community who anticipated equality and justice.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Celebrate Juneteenth & Father's Day but recognize racism still exists