Vanderbilt Recognizes Juneteenth
Today, OUA and Vanderbilt recognize the importance of Juneteenth, the oldest known celebration in the United States commemorating the end of slavery. While today we celebrate the end of slavery in America, we also recognize that there is still much progress to be made toward eliminating systemic racism present in our society. As mentioned in our previous blog post, “Vanderbilt Admissions Cares — Updated Information,” the Office of Undergraduate Admissions is fully committed to continue learning and to advance social justice in our lives — both professionally and personally — as we pursue equality for all.
As a center for scholarly research, informed and creative teaching, and service to the community and society at large, Vanderbilt University can play a key role in both reflecting on our past and shaping our future. We recognize that we cannot achieve equality until we make changes that are the result of learning coupled with action. To that end, we invite you to learn more about the history and cultural significance of Juneteenth by exploring the Vanderbilt resources and stories below:
- Assistant Professor of History Brandon Byrd discusses the history of Juneteenth and its significance today
- Celebrate Juneteenth! — Information and ways to celebrate Juneteenth from the Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center
- Resources for Engaging with the Spirit of Juneteenth from the College of Arts and Science