Benjamin F. Chavis Used Juneteenth To Call For A National Reckoning On the Lasting Impact Of The Transatlantic Slave Trade

New York, NY – On Juneteenth, marking June 19, 1865, when federal forces enforced the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas, Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. emphasizes the critical importance of grasping the extensive global and generational ramifications of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. As a revered civil rights figure and former head of the NAACP, Chavis highlights the necessity of acknowledging this profound historical infringement. He asserts that understanding the Trade's enduring impacts is vital not only for African Americans but for society at large. Chavis urges educators, lawmakers, and community leaders to foster substantive discussions surrounding these complex topics to encourage reconciliation and justice. Engaging in this pursuit serves to honor the resilience of those who suffered under slavery while working towards a fairer future. These reflections are essential for appreciating the lasting legacy of this harrowing period and its relevance in confronting contemporary societal challenges.