[Sshagradstudents] Observing Juneteenth

[UCM sshadean]

Greeting SSHA Faculty and Staff,

I hope that you have seen the Chancellor’s June 16th email memo on ‘Observing Juneteenth’ next week. In that memo, a number of opportunities and events are mentioned that will highlight Juneteenth and Black lives on and off of campus.

I also wanted to recognize the importance of this day and acknowledge its deep meaning and value to Black Americans, and, frankly, to all of us.  Supporting the rights and freedoms of all groups, ultimately benefits all people. Juneteenth is one small recognition of progress, and a reminder that more can be done.

Last year, one of our faculty, Professor Kevin Dawson, wrote a piece about this special date. It appeared through several outlets on campus and was picked-up by regional media. The best thing I can do is refer you back to that article here: Juneteenth | School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts (ucmerced.edu)<https://ssha.ucmerced.edu/content/juneteenth>.

In agreement with Dr. Dawson: “If we truly are a freedom loving country, then a day commemorating the liberation of 4 million Americans should be one of our most important national holidays…” Therefore, as we enjoy this day off, let’s remember the sacrifices and struggles of African Americans and the thousands of human rights activists who got us to where we are at now, and the advocates we still need for the future.

Sincerely,
Jeff

Jeffrey W. Gilger, PhD
Dean, School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts
Professor of Psychology
Carlston Cunningham Chair in Cognitive Development
Director, UC Merced Alliance for Child and Family Health and Development
5200 N. Lake Road
Merced, CA  95343-5603
Office: SSM  306B
Phone: 209-228-7843
Fax: 209-228-4007
Email: jgilger at ucmerced.edu<mailto:jgilger at ucmerced.edu>
Lab: http://faculty2.ucmerced.edu/jgilger/
Alliance: http://ucmalliance.org<http://ucmalliance.org/>
Help-4-My-Child: http://help4mychild.org<http://help4mychild.org/>



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