Page 19 - Pakistan Link - June 25, 2021

COMMUNITY JUNE 25, 2021 – PAKISTAN LINK – P19
MPAC Celebrates the Signing of The Juneteenth National Independence Day Act

n By Leela Cullity, Ezgi Koc, Aaliyah senator stated that he could “recognize real-
Khwaja ity” as he removed his opposition then lead-
MPAC Policy Interns ing to the passing of the bill. On Thursday,
President Biden signed the historic bill into
ucceeding the signing of the 1863 law, making Juneteenth a Federal Holiday.
Emancipation Proclamation, the end Although the Senate and House passed
Sof the Civil War, and the ratification both respective bills with mostly bipartisan
of the 13th Amendment, by June 19th, support, this comes at a time when multiple
1865, those in Texas were finally able to states have already signed into law restric-
celebrate their official independence and tions on teaching critical race theory and
freedom. The fight to legalize slavery was a racism, including Idaho, Iowa, Oklahoma,
debilitating process, and toward the end of Tennessee, and Texas. It is difficult to pro-
the Civil War, many slaveholders retreated vide one explanation of this theory, as it is
to Texas, due to its geographic isolation greatly misinterpreted, but it can be seen as
from Union troops. This isolation led to an academic approach centered around the
enslaved Black people learning of their idea that racism is systemic and not only
freedom much later than when it was en- performed by individuals with prejudices.
shrined in the Constitution. When 2,000 It holds that racial inequality is intertwined
Union troops finally arrived, they an- into legal systems against people of color in
nounced that over 250,000 enslaved Black all parts of their lives.
people in the state of Texas, were legally Many Democratic legislators described
free. Juneteenth is meant to commemo- Juneteenth as an important holiday, but it
rate not only the emancipation of 4 mil- does not compensate for the continuous
lion slaves, but the widespread knowledge racial injustices in the US, especially after
of independence specifically for those who the rise of Black Lives Matter and response
weren’t aware emancipation had come to the killing of George Floyd last year. It
months earlier. the pride of a people who have survived, en- 14 votes against making Juneteenth a federal is suggested by elected officials and the Af-
Juneteenth Celebrations were first doc- dured and succeeded in these United States holiday coming from Republican representa- rican American community that more ac-
umented in 1866 across southern states and of America despite slavery.” It is the hope tives. Several Republicans spoke out on their tion must be taken to pass legislation on fair
eventually reached the entire country. The that future Juneteenth celebrations can serve vote against the officialization of the holiday policing, voting protection, reparations and
decision in Congress to make Juneteenth as an enabler for the necessary change we stating that it was unnecessary and did not education, civil rights, and systemic racism.
a federal holiday is a first step in grappling still need to see. match up to the importance of other federal It would be recommended to start pursuing
with our history and hopefully beginning a On Wednesday June 16th, The US holidays adding that it co-opted the United and supporting existing legislation in Con-
broader discussion of how lynching, mass House of Representatives voted to make Ju- States’ official Independence Day. On the gress that focus on such issues. In addition to
incarceration, redlining, and other Jim Crow neteenth an official federal holiday. Senator other hand, Speaker of the House Nancy Pe- the Juneteenth National Independence Day
laws took root after emancipation, continu- Edward Markey [D-MA] and Representative losi [D-CA] stated that it was “an exciting, Act, another bill introduced by Rep. Sheila
ing the systemic issues we see today. Sheila Jackson Lee [D-TX-18] led efforts to historic day” that was long overdue. Jackson Lee [D-TX-18] is the Commission
Today, celebrations usually include pa- make the holiday being called “Juneteenth Previously on Tuesday night, the Senate to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals
rades, cook outs, music, including tradition- Independence Day” in the bill federally passed the bill with unanimous consent. Just for African Americans Act, that is referred
al songs such as “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” recognized. After being stalled in the Sen- a year ago, Sen. Ron Johnson [R-WI] blocked to the House Subcommittee on the Constitu-
sipping on red drinks, which symbolizes and ate, the bill passed in the House in just one the bill as urgency to make Juneteenth a fed- tion, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties and has
honors the blood that was shed of African- day with a vote of 415–14, overwhelmingly eral holiday grew with the rise of the Black 190 cosponsors. It is imperative that we con-
Americans, and educational history lessons. favoring the solidifying of Juneteenth as a Lives Matter movement as a result of the tact our elected representatives to support
As Representative Brenda Lawrence [D-MI- federal holiday. This would grant every fed- murders of George Floyd and Breonna Tay- such legislation and continue to recognize
14] said, the new Federal holiday reminds us eral employee the day off to commemorate lor. Sen Johnson cited taxpayer dollars going the sacrifices and continuous struggles of the
that “We have a responsibility to teach every the historical significance of Juneteenth. The to federal workers for the day off as his rea- African American community before and in
generation of Black and White Americans bill had strong bipartisan backing despite all son for opposition. Earlier Wednesday, the our time.
Summer before College - Five Things Every Muslim High School Graduate Should Do

n By Samana Siddiqui nah prayers. If you already do that, try to of-
Chicago, IL fer additional prayers. In particular, Tahajjud
prayer (offered in the early morning hours,
t’s tempting to want to just relax the right before Fajr starts) is a time when focus
summer before college. But this is a time and concentration are high. You can really give
Ito not only buy items for dorm rooms your complete attention. It can also help you
and schedule fall classes. This summer is develop a stronger love for and reliance on Al-
a time to build the spiritual reserves nec- lah. Ask Him for any and everything you want;
essary to face this new chapter of life with ask for forgiveness; ask for guidance. Build
strong faith. that connection. It will help carry you through
These are five things you can do in the any difficulties, temptations, and trials you will
coming weeks to prepare for your college ex- face.
perience as a Muslim student.
5. Get organized by making a compre-
1. Adjust your Islamic lens - learn the hensive schedule
Islamic worldview While you will be making a class schedule
The summer before college is an ideal before the semester or quarter begins, don’t
time to shore up your understanding of the stop there. Schedule what you will be doing
worldview of Islam. As a Muslim, you will on at least some of your breaks and weekends
meet many new people with all kinds of views too. This is important because if this time isn’t
in college. Students like yourself will be reeval- planned for, it can be easily wasted on the
uating everything their parents taught them, social network. College friends often become 3. Join your campus MSA chat groups wrong things.
as well as what they have learned thus far in friends for life, so it’s important to be con- While most Muslim Students’ Associa- That means making time for not just
and outside of school on all kinds of issues and nected to not only your campus Muslim Stu- tions have websites, make sure to join What- praying, studying, eating, or MSA or extracur-
topics. The question is, do you have the Islamic dents’ Association, but other Muslim students sApp, Telegram, Signal or any other chat ricular meetings and activities. It also means
lens to do that? Do you view the world with in your department. groups to communicate more quickly and stay deciding what you will do for fun and how of-
Islam as your way of understanding issues? Prophet Muhammad, peace and bless- up to date. ten. You don’t have to plan it minute-by-min-
This goes beyond knowing the five pillars ings be upon him, said, “Verily, the parable of ute, but you should strive to have a balance of
of Islam and knowing how to pray. It is about good company and bad company is only that 4. Start engaging in additional Ibadah all of these things so you don’t burn yourself
understanding Islam truly as a way of life. of a seller of musk and a blacksmith. The seller (acts of worship) out, miss prayers, or fail a class.
There are great resources online and of- of musk will give you some perfume, you will Whether you will be living on or off cam- Insha Allah college will be a time of
fline. These include writings and videos at or- buy some, or you will notice a good smell. As pus, college is a time of greater independence growth, new friendships and opportunities, as
ganizations like the Yaqeen Institute, lectures for the blacksmith, he will burn your clothes and freedom. That means you can really focus well as fun. May you emerge a stronger Mus-
on YouTube by scholars, leaders, and activists or you will notice a bad smell” (Bukhari, Mus- on developing a closer relationship with Allah. lim ready to contribute to your community
past and present, as well as local trusted lead- lim). Islam may have always been part of your and the world with all that you gain from these
ers who can help you gain a stronger under- Your friends will influence you in both life because of family, culture or community years.
standing of your faith so that you can be clear good ways and bad, depending on who they growing up. But now, you have the opportuni-
about where you stand as you enter your first are. Choose wisely so they become not only ty to connect to Allah on your own, strength- https://www.soundvision.com/article/
year of college. a source of emotional support, comfort, and ening what you already have. summer-before-college-5-things-every-
fun, but they also help you become a better This summer, increase the amount of muslim-high-school-graduate-should-do?
2. Start building your Muslim network Muslim during your college years and beyond. Ibadah or acts of worship that you perform. If eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=4a69fe14-
Summer is the time to start building your you already pray five times a day, add the Sun- b8b0-4a13-84aa-a159e59b5348
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