June 19th 2020 marked 155 years since enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas were informed of their freedom—two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. “Juneteenth” is a day for reflection, education, and celebration. A reminder of where we’ve come from and how far we still have to go. And a testament to the belief that none of us are free until all of us are free.
In observance of this important day and in solidarity with the South LA’s Black community, SCOPE, in collaboration with T.R.U.S.T. South LA, LA City Councilmember, Marqueece Harris-Dawson, Social Justice Learning Institute, Kroger’s, Korean Resource Center, and City of Youth, hosted a food drive at our offices. Maintaining social distancing practices, community leaders and volunteers distributed meals and produce to members of the South LA community. In a time of uncertainty, loss, and reckoning, this event served to unite Black and Brown South LA residents and celebrate our community resilience and interdependence. In fact, the event was so successful that all food was given away within the first hour! Following the drive, SCOPE grassroots leaders and community members expressed high interest in helping put together similar events in the coming months. SCOPE’s commitment to our members and community is to continue creating space for political education, celebration, and mutual support that combats systemic racism and anti-Black racism in particular, while building Black and Brown resilience, health, and power.
