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“Black-Ish” May Have Ended But Its Juneteenth Lessons Live On
I think <i>Black-ish</i> captivated us all with this one.

“Black-Ish” May Have Ended But Its Juneteenth Lessons Live On

Black-ish is one of the greatest primetime television shows of all time. No, it wasn’t perfect — but what show is? What made Black-ish so special was its ability to teach and convey lessons through the lens of humor and evoke self-reflection. One of those special moments was the episode Kenya Barris and the team created for Juneteenth. Although the last and final episode aired earlier this year in April, the lessons from the show still live on.


Universal History Archive / Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

As a terrible compromise, Leslie Stevens (Dre’s boss) suggested that Martin Luther King Day and Black History Month are already a thing and that an additional holiday for Black people isn’t necessary. Wait, what?! Yes, you read that right. And as much as Black-ish is fiction, remember, art imitates life. These are real conversations happening out there, and it’s beyond not okay!

Black folk didn’t get a check.

ABC / Via giphy.com

For those in the back who may not get it, enslaved people were not paid for their labor and were often beaten and consistently subjected to less than reproachable living conditions. Being credited for building the White House, prominent college and university campuses, establishing significant infrastructure across the land, and inventing a whole load of processes, goods, and services that help to function from day to day — Black people built this country.

But, slavery was a long time ago. Everyone is free now!

Hulu / Via giphy.com

You can’t believe that. It didn’t even feel correct typing or saying that. Economists estimate that slave labor had a near $300 billion economic impact. That’s billion with a capital “B.” After slavery officially ended, prejudice and discriminatory practices kicked it, and the effects of those systemic and institutional systems linger today.

What does freedom even mean?

ABC / Via giphy.com

The answer is different for me than it may be for you. However, at the core, freedom should provide equal access to any and every available resource. It should mean navigating the United States in a way that doesn’t make my presence feel like a threat. Freedom shouldn’t be so hard-pressed. It should be the realization and the audacity to dream, thrive, and succeed in every field of human endeavor.

With all of that, Dre’s coworkers still didn’t get it.

ABC / Via giphy.com

One of the most exhausting things is trying to educate a group of people with no interest in learning anything. Save your energy. That’s the conclusion Dre eventually came to. However, he did not let that stop him from wanting to do more to celebrate Juneteenth.

Juneteenth became a federal holiday on June 17, 2021, and while that is progress, there is still much work to be done. However, in the words of Andre Johnson, “Don’t wait for the apology [understanding], celebrate anyway! Who’s hosting the cookout? And, there better not be any raisins close to the potato salad!”

ABC / Via giphy.com

Make sure you head here for more of our Juneteenth coverage!

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