What does Juneteenth indicate about the character of the liberation struggle? How did a bible that was once used to justify slavery become a source of inspiration for freedom? Juneteenth: Faith and Freedom takes viewers on a thrilling journey that addresses these concerns and more by presenting first-hand testimonies of descendants of individuals emancipated during this pivotal period in our country’s history.
Juneteenth: Faith And Freedom – A Film Examining The Holiday’s Importance.
Juneteenth is the first new federal holiday enacted by Congress in nearly four decades. Juneteenth: Faith and Freedom is an illuminating tool for deep learning and nuanced viewpoints on the complex history of race, slavery, and faith in America, as interest in this occasion develops.
“As our research progressed, we learned more about the breadth of faith stories and biblical convictions included in the day’s first celebration and the many subsequent celebrations.” We want to ensure that the Christian religious origins and worldview of the men and women who started honouring this day are not lost in holiday celebrations. “We discovered an interesting fact during our research: Ms. Opal Lee, who urged Congress to recognise Juneteenth, is a devout follower of Jesus and reader of Our Daily Bread,” says Dr. Matt Lucas, CEO and president of Our Daily Bread Ministries.
Rasool Berry of Our Daily Bread Ministries takes viewers on a journey of discovery as he explores how Juneteenth transpired in Galveston, Texas, where the celebration began. Berry travels historical places and speaks with researchers, advocates, direct descendants of formerly enslaved people, and the “grandmother of Juneteenth,” Ms. Opal Lee. They investigate what happened on June 19, 1865, as well as the community’s reaction, the aftermath of events, and what happens next.
These firsthand experiences are priceless pieces of American history that have been woven together to convey a story of faith, hope, tenacity, and endurance. Juneteenth: religion and Freedom is an emotional, evocative, inspiring, and educational film that is required viewing for groups and people interested in the history of Juneteenth and its crucial junction with the Christian religion.
“The first Juneteenth celebration took place at a church in Galveston, and I discovered that those closest to it understood their emancipation on spiritual terms.” To truly comprehend that story, we must first understand their perspective on their own liberation. The story begins in the church, but the religion component does not end there. “I discovered that the role of the Black church in establishing communities was extremely important,” Berry explains.
Ya’Ke Smith, a rising voice in independent filmmaking known for his “unflinching and veracious style of storytelling,” directed the film. The Our Daily Bread Voices Collection and Our Daily Bread Media present Juneteenth: Faith and Freedom in collaboration with Exodus Filmworks and the Jude 3 Project.
“You can’t tell the Juneteenth story without faith playing a prominent role,” Smith adds, “because faith is central to the narrative.” It was in the songs, it was in the hearts of everyone who fled a plantation and ran towards freedom; it was always the one thing that the oppressed had access to and that no one could take away from them. Faith was, is, and always will be the unspoken language of freedom and survival for Black people. It’s the narrative of Juneteenth.”
