Juneteenth is now a national holiday widely celebrated by people from all backgrounds. However, it's important to remember that its origins stem from the struggles the Black American South faced and ultimately triumphed over. 

The holiday serves as both a celebration of resilience and a poignant illustration of our unfinished work. Marking 160 years since the last enslaved Black Americans learned of their freedom, this Juneteenth arrives amid ongoing battles for voting rights, women’s bodily autonomy, economic justice, and police accountability. The occasion proves that Black freedom wasn’t a one-time war that we won—it’s an ongoing, long-suffered battle. 

The meaning of the holiday feels very different in 2025, for me at least. Even though the federal government recognized Juneteenth in 2021, systemic inequalities still exist and are even more dire. My 70-plus-year-old grandmother from Memphis said during a recent phone call, “I feel like I’m back in 1950.” It’s still the same, just a different face on it.” 

She isn’t wrong. There is still a racial wealth gap of more than $200,000 between Black households, voter suppression tactics are aimed at marginalized groups, and criminal justice reforms are still not finished. 

This year, Juneteenth is being used as a call to action by the people in charge. The day has become more about creating change, with events like "Freedom to Vote" rallies and mutual aid drives to fight food apartheid. Even businesses are now pressured to do more than just make empty gestures. Black activists want real investments in education, housing, and healthcare instead of just hashtags.

BET's viewers have a personal connection to Juneteenth. It is a time to remember the sacrifices of our ancestors while dealing with the problems of today. Artist and activist,Tamika Mallory, says, "We can't just dance at the cookout." 

We also need to be there for the polls, the courts, and the boardrooms. The lesson of 1865 and 2025 is clear: Freedom isn't something that is given to you; you have to fight for it over and over again.