By Reverend J. Loren Russell
Leviticus 25:9-10 NKJV
“Then you shall cause the trumpet of the Jubilee to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month; on the Day of Atonement you shall make the trumpet to sound throughout all your land. And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a Jubilee for you; and each of you shall return to his possession, and each of you shall return to his family.”
On Thursday, June 17, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden signed into law legislation making June 19th a national holiday recognizing the freedom of enslaved people who should have been freed January 1, 1863 by the Emancipation Proclamation.
Historically, June 19th has been referred to as Juneteenth. This year, Juneteenth occurs one day before the celebration of Father’s Day. Slavery was notorious for separating fathers from their families, routinely selling them away from their wives and children. The devastating effects on the descendants of slaves still lingers. I found some disturbing statistics on the web. They report that 66% of Black or African American families are single parent households (2015-2019). While Black fathers are not being sold away and separated from their families as they were during slavery, statistics suggest that there are far too many who are not with their families. There are a variety of other reasons, but the after effects of slavery plays a major role.
The signing of the law on June 17th acknowledged that African Americans were denied liberty and their freedom even after they were legally set free. With Juneteenth as a national holiday and in celebration of Father’s Day, I want to encourage every father to break the generational curse of slavery and reclaim your families, and to applaud those who are setting the example for fatherhood.
The scripture for this article speaks of the Jubilee: the day the trumpet sounds, liberty is declared throughout the land, possessions taken, returned, and families restored. While we are a long way away from sounding the trumpet and proclaiming liberty throughout the land, possessions returned, and families restored, we are much more aware of the adverse effects of slavery and the absence of fathers from homes.
Kudos to our Black and African American fathers who have beaten the odds, even under the most adverse circumstances throughout the many years of slavery, Jim Crow segregation, and systemic racism. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do. Victory for all begins with every one of your successes.
Be Blessed!
Rev. J. Loren Russell is President/CEO of The JLR Company for Church Financial Strategy & Consulting; an associate minister at both Goodwill and The Greater Universal Baptist Churches in the Bronx; creator & host of “Matters of Faith – The Radio Show” Mondays 8:00 – 10:00 PM on Facebook LIVE and author of Matters of Faith: The Book (eBook available at Smashwords).
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