Juneteenth in Mérida: A Celebration of Freedom Beyond Borders
Growing up as a Black woman in Brazil, I never learned about Juneteenth. It wasn’t until I moved to the United States that I discovered the significance of June 19, 1865, the day the last enslaved Black Americans in Galveston, Texas, were informed of their freedom. That was more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed.
Now living in Yucatán, I celebrated Juneteenth in Mérida alongside a vibrant community of fellow Afro-descendant expats. Though the holiday is deeply rooted in U.S. history, its significance reaches far beyond. It serves as a tribute to resilience, joy, and the ongoing struggle for freedom, anywhere on the globe.
The evening was filled with warmth, good food, music, and meaningful connections. People from different walks of life and generations came together not just to celebrate, but to honor our shared history and to reflect on how far we’ve come.
For those of us who didn’t grow up in the United States, Juneteenth feels like a bridge. It connects us to a bigger story of liberation, one that mirrors the struggles and victories of our own communities. It is also a reminder that freedom, once delayed for so many, should never be taken for granted.
This celebration was more than a cultural event; it was a reminder of how far we’ve come, and that someone else’s freedom uplifts us all. Because at the end of the day, none of us are truly free until we all are.
Of course, like any community, we are not without our differences. And at times, division can find its way into spaces meant for healing and unity. But it is our hope and our responsibility to continue choosing respect. Even with our differences, we prioritize respect, understanding, and unity. That’s how we build something lasting—not just for ourselves, but for the generations coming after us.
We may come from different places and speak different languages, but like branches of the same ancestral tree, our roots are deeply connected. And that’s where our true strength lives.
Celebrating Juneteenth in Mérida reminded me that freedom isn’t just a moment in history. It’s something we’re still working toward. And no matter where we come from, we all have a part to play in ensuring that freedom, dignity, and humanity are honored everywhere.
Born and raised in Brazil, Fernanda Toler moved to the United States in her early 20s. She ended up living in Denver for around 20 years before making Mérida her new adopted city.
