Mothers Out Front’s Post

In recognition of Juneteenth, we at OEM wanted to take this moment to uplift an excerpt from a message about the holiday from Jamal Fox, Executive Director of the Oregon Board of Pharmacy.  “We celebrate Juneteenth as “Freedom Day” from centuries of struggles and triumphs reflecting on both our commitment to and vision of greater patient safety, access, and accessibility to healthcare for all- remembering that, there is more work to be done as an agency and in our communities.  Despite its recent commemoration as a nationally recognized day, the origins of Juneteenth and subsequent celebrations date back more than 160 years ago. On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation to free enslaved people in the Southern secessionist states.  However, due to the delay in communication and enforcement of the Proclamation, Texas—the westernmost state in the Confederacy—was the last location reached by Union troops tasked with making the announcement. Because of this delay, slavery did not cease in the state until June 19, 1865, more than two years later, when Army General Gordon Granger proclaimed freedom for all enslaved Texans.    ... June 19th is a day worth celebrating and a day of recognition. However, as a nation, we still have so far to go to not just acknowledge but address the racial disparities many diverse communities and communities of color face.”  While it has been celebrated for 159 years in the Black and African American community, Juneteenth only officially became a Federal and State holiday 2-3 years ago. Please see below for more context and educational resources on Juneteenth:     - Learn the history of Juneteenth: https://s.si.edu/3Xr5rfF  - Celebrate Juneteenth in Oregon: https://bit.ly/4cbpHGL  - Volunteer or attend your local Juneteenth events: https://bit.ly/3z4R06Z   - Centering Black voices and stories: https://lnkd.in/gKWtzDqX 

The significance of this day and its legacy is never lost on me as I continue to learn and work to be better. It's not just a day of celebration but a call to action for all of us. In marketing and media, I consider it a big responsibility to amplify diverse perspectives and invest in platforms that support this crucial dialogue. Juneteenth, marking the end of slavery in the United States, is a reminder of the resilience and contributions of Black communities throughout history. Yet, despite these contributions, Black voices continue to be underrepresented and misrepresented in our culture and media. You don’t need to be too aware to see what research shows us, that Black Americans often face stereotypes in media portrayals, and their stories are frequently marginalized or overlooked entirely - even today. As marketers, we hold the power to reshape this narrative. By consciously investing in Black-owned media outlets and inclusive storytelling, we can help elevate these essential voices and foster a more equitable society. It's about more than just representation; it's about genuinely listening and reflecting diverse experiences in the work we do. Learn more about the history and significance of Juneteenth from the National Museum of African American History and Culture https://lnkd.in/ewYsmBsz. Let's all commit to being part of the change.

Juneteenth is more than a holiday, it is the realization of a centuries long struggle to end slavery in the United States. Today, we celebrate freedom, resilience, and a commitment to uplifting Black voices. As we continue to strive for equity for all, we support and stand in community with the wide array of organizations who are building community, speaking out, and fighting to end oppressive systems born out of American chattel slavery. Education is key to truly reconciling our past, learn more about Juneteenth below: https://lnkd.in/gqvPZFF

Understand the past. Respect and defend freedom for everyone. Juneteenth is celebrated annually on June 19th to commemorate the ending of slavery in the United States. Learn more about the historical significance of Juneteenth here: https://hubs.li/Q02CqRyk0

𝗜𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴: - 𝟭.) 𝗕𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁, experiencing slavery in Kentucky as a kid, but sent back to Pennsylvania because you taught yourself to read; - 𝟮.) 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗲𝗻𝗻𝘀𝘆𝗹𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗮 𝟲𝘁𝗵 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 during the Civil War, but given no credit because the Militia Act in-place at the time did not allow Black people to fight; - 𝟯.) 𝗥𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘂𝘁 when learning they're forming a Colored Regiment, only to face racism there and being used by Connecticut as a quota count by writing on your enlistment papers that you're from Stonington; - 𝟰.) 𝗦𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘂𝘁 with your regiment at the end of the Civil War in 1865, only for Connecticut residents to vote to leave the word "White" in the state constitution as a requirement to vote; - 𝟱.) 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀 of Connecticut's Old State House with your regiment, only for the state to erase that history; - 𝟲.) 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝟭𝟴𝟲𝟳, documenting your experiences, which is then used for decades by other authors and media producers to depict the experience of the Black soldier during the Civil War, but you are rarely given credit; - 𝟳.) 𝗗𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝟭𝟴𝟴𝟮, buried in a Colored Cemetery in Woodbury, NJ, only for that Cemetery to be paved over to make a parking lot in 1962; - 𝟴.) 𝗔 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 in New Haven, CT celebrating the Connecticut Regiment you served on, but your name is left off; 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘄, I learn you were a political activist, involved in local government by becoming a delegate for Independent voters unhappy with the New Jersey state legislature. 𝗗𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗿𝘆, 𝗜𝘀𝗮𝗮𝗰... 𝗜 𝘄𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱. Still walking... #Life

Happy Juneteenth! We want to highlight the importance of centering Black folks in how we all celebrate today.  As a healthcare professional, how is your practice and organization countering racial injustices and promoting an inclusive human experience for patients, families, and staff daily? We would like to share a few ways to honor Juneteenth today by gaining awareness and taking action as a healthcare professional. The link provided below from the National Museum of African American History and Culture, is a great starting point to increase awareness and includes a digital toolkit. We also encourage each of us to commit to at least one implicit bias interruption skill you can cultivate in your daily life. One example could be Shift the Frame during communication with fellow healthcare professionals. For example, when you notice phrases being used to describe a patient or family, ask for more information, “Can you tell me more about what was difficult/picky/challenging?” and promote consideration of what the family’s perspective may be with your colleague and how to promote partnership with the patient. Bias interruption is a daily practice, and one that supports the actionable changes needed to decrease racial injustices in healthcare. As we all celebrate Juneteenth today, we must also continue to move from awareness to action to improve health equity. #HealthEquity #ImplicitBiasInterruption #AwarenessToAction https://lnkd.in/gqvPZFF