San Leandro USD
Tradition and Innovation
Dear SLUSD Community,
We are thrilled to join the nation in a long-overdue commemoration of a profoundly consequential date in our country’s history. Although the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect on January 1, 1863, granting freedom to all enslaved peoples after the end of the Civil War, two and a half long years passed before the last enslaved Africans in Texas were finally notified of their liberty. That date, June 19, 1865, is known as Juneteenth, and as of yesterday, our newest national holiday.
Alongside President Biden’s recent legislation, we offer resources to reflect on and honor Juneteenth this year as we continue to build a more equitable and just future together. The links below provide insights to understand the significance of this holiday more deeply and ways to strengthen our shared commitment to social justice. We also look forward to building more annual Juneteenth traditions in San Leandro Unified that connect us as a community to a shared understanding of our past through multiple perspectives, especially those who have been traditionally marginalized, oppressed, and silenced.
Knowing that the legacy of slavery in this country continues to feed the systemic racism that degrades our society, I encourage you to join us in taking this time to engage with the many stories of resistance and resilience within our Black and African American history. Elevating these voices is yet another way to build our collective energy to continue the fight for true, real, and lasting freedom that extends to every member of our community.
In solidarity,
Dr. Mike McLaughlin
Superintendent
RESOURCES