JUNETEENTH WORKOUT

Today will be our fourth annual Juneteenth workout. Similar to a hero workout, it is a workout based on reflection as much as the demands of the workout.

Juneteenth is an American holiday celebrated on June 19th commemorating when federal orders were read stating that all slaves were free.

To give a bit more detail, during the American Civil War, Pres. Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared more than three million slaves living in the Confederate states to be free. More than two years would pass, however, before the news reached African Americans living in Texas. It was not until Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, that the state’s residents finally learned that slavery had been abolished. The former slaves immediately began to celebrate with prayer, feasting, song, and dance.

Juneteenth also called “Freedom Day”, is widely accepted in the United States as the day slavery ended. This is not a day just for African Americans to celebrate but a day for all Americans to remember and revere. It’s a testament to America’s ability to recognize wrongs and do its best to change course and make things right.

An article published in the Galveston Daily News summarized so beautifully why we must continue to do the work. “Injustices continue to stain our nation’s honor to prevent us from living up to our stated belief that all are created equal. The abuses of slavery and its successor practices have often been experienced by many generations. And it’s never improper to continue seeking justice for all.”

If you’ve done this workout before, you know this Juneteenth WOD has the volume and difficulty of a Hero WOD. And just like Hero WODs, it is designed to help you step outside of yourself to find a place of reflection, understanding, and remembrance. We can all make a difference.