At MLQ, we want to take time to recognize the importance of Juneteenth as it relates to our community on and off the pitch. Juneteenth is held on June 19 in recognition of the freedom of slaves in actualization. While the Emancipation Proclamation established the freedom of slaves to begin Jan. 1, 1963, many slaves in the South were unaware of their freedoms. On June 19, 1865, Union Major General Gordon Granger and his troops arrived at Galveston with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. Juneteenth was then celebrated annually in various parts of the U.S. beginning in 1866.
“Racism is not merely a simplistic hatred. It is, more often, broad sympathy toward some and broader skepticism toward others. Black America ever lives under that skeptical eye.”
Ta-Nehisi Coates, essayist, novelist
On June 17, 2021 President Joe Biden signed a bill making June 19 the official federal holiday Juneteenth National Independence Day. This recognition may bring national attention to historic issues around slavery and abolition; however, the implementation of the holiday comes during difficult times for Black independence and respect. Current educational discussion around banning Critical Race Theory from classrooms is popular around the country while calls for anti-hate bills or police reform targeting the mistreatment of Black Americans have been largely unanswered by the government. As we celebrate Juneteenth, we must remember that we can advocate in our relationships and community to be allies, but we must also hold our elected officials accountable for institutional change to become a reality.
“The chasm between the principles upon which this Government was founded … and those which are daily practiced under the protection of the flag, yawns so wide and deep.”
Mary Church Terrell, clubwoman, businesswoman, activist, 1906
Last year, DEI Director Christian Barnes took over our social media to help us understand the importance of the holiday and the difference between freedom and access. This year, freedom and access remains important to MLQ as we consider what we are currently doing for our Black athletes both consciously and unconsciously. As we move toward opening weekend on June 26, we spoke to some of those athletes about their MLQ experience thus far.
Joan Alexander – League City Legends Athlete
“I think the quidditch community is doing a good job at amplifying voices of the ones who need to be heard. However, I do think we could be more focused on the mission and less of the publicity we hope to receive from it.”
Read more on the Legends’ page.
Kellan Cupid – MLQ Executive Assistant and New York Titans Athlete
“…if you know you have a particular skill or talent that could help the sport as a whole, definitely apply…you’ll find something that is meaningful to you and, if not, that’s OK, you still were able to make a meaningful impact in the process and develop skills that might be useful outside of quidditch as well.”
Read more on the Titans’ page.
Lee Hodge – Charlotte Aviators Head Coach
“I’m just really excited to show everyone that players from this region can compete with the common powerhouse teams of the sport.”
Read more on the Aviators’ page.
Alexander “OB” Obanor – Minneapolis Monarchs Athlete
“…we need more representation and definitive actions to truly start making real change amongst our demographics and bringing in more diverse groups, whether that be female, non-binary, trans or BIPOC.”
Read more on the Monarchs’ page.
As our athletes and stakeholders prepare to celebrate the weekend of Juneteenth, we suggest spending time giving back by buying from Black businesses across the country. The Black Book, created by the Black Renaissance Group, contains businesses across the country and in many of our franchise cities.