On June 19, communities across the country celebrated Juneteenth, commemorating the day in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, finally learned of their freedom — two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. It’s a day of remembrance, joy and reflection on a journey that continues.

Juneteenth marks the resilience of people who, against all odds, held onto their dignity, hope and determination for justice. It is a day to honor those who endured enslavement and fought, even at great cost, for equality. But Juneteenth is not just a celebration of the past. It’s a recognition that the struggle for justice and equity continues.

Here in West Virginia, we often see our own stories of struggle mirrored in the history of Juneteenth. Many of us have felt overlooked by systems of power — be it through poverty, lack of access to healthcare, inadequate education or the slow erosion of opportunities. We know what it’s like to be seen as the “black sheep,” to be dismissed, and to have our voices unheard.

There are parallels in the way Appalachian people have been portrayed as backward or undeserving, much like how Black Americans have faced stereotypes and systemic exclusion. These are not the same histories — but they share common threads of disenfranchisement and of being left out of the promises that America claims to offer.

Now, as Juneteenth passes and we look toward the Fourth of July — another day celebrating freedom and independence — it’s crucial to confront the uncomfortable truth that not all Americans experience freedom equally. The Fourth of July often brings parades, fireworks and proud displays of patriotism, but it also presents an opportunity to reflect on who is still waiting for full participation in the rights our nation claims to guarantee.

This year, as global tensions rise and threats to democracy echo both at home and abroad, we must resist the temptation to look away. The lessons of Juneteenth urge us not to just remember history, but to engage with the present. Whether it’s voting rights under threat, the rollback of hard-won protections or international struggles for human dignity, we are reminded that freedom requires vigilance and action.

As we move forward from Juneteenth and approach the Fourth of July, the real work begins. Celebrating freedom is not a one-day event. It’s an ongoing commitment to ensuring that no one’s rights are overlooked and that dignity is extended to all.

In that spirit, I’m proud of the work I’ve done here in West Virginia. From fighting for a solid bill mandating personal finance education for all students to conducting research that resulted in a more equitable tiered pay scale model for locality pay, these efforts share a purpose: empowering individuals with the tools and opportunities to build true independence. That’s what both Juneteenth and the Fourth of July demand — a freedom rooted in justice and access for all. But freedom’s fight is not finished. Whether we’re in the hills of West Virginia, the streets of Galveston or standing with others around the world, justice requires more than reflection — it demands action.

Donna Joy, of Shepherdstown, is in her second term on the Jefferson County Board of Education. Her comments are personal, and do not represent the Jefferson County Board of Education as a whole. She can be reached at aumpeace@msn.com.