On this 160th anniversary of the first Juneteenth Celebration, which occurred on Galveston Island, Texas, in 1865, I would like to address the following to the descendants of people my ancestors enslaved in the colonies and the states of Massachusetts, Virginia, the Carolinas, and Georgia, and express my deepest and most heartfelt apologies for their actions. I acknowledge the immense suffering, injustice, and lasting impact that their actions have had on you, your families, and your communities.
The legacy of slavery is a profound and painful part of our shared history. It is a history that has left deep scars and continues to affect the lives of countless individuals and communities. I am profoundly sorry for the atrocities and injustices that your ancestors endured at the hands of mine. Their pain and suffering should never be forgotten, and I recognize the privilege I have inherited due to these wrongdoings.
Words alone cannot erase the past or heal the wounds inflicted. However, I believe it is important to acknowledge this history openly and honestly. I am committed to educating myself and others about the realities of slavery and its enduring impact on society. Furthermore, I pledge to support initiatives that promote racial justice, equality, and reconciliation.
My apology is a small step towards recognizing the truth and beginning to make amends. I hope that, through collective efforts and a sincere commitment to change, we can work towards a future where the horrors of slavery are fully acknowledged and its legacy is addressed with the seriousness and dedication it deserves.
Once again, I am profoundly sorry for the actions of my ancestors and the suffering they caused. I stand with you in the ongoing struggle for justice and equality.
Sincerely,
D. M. DeBacker
Gathering Leaves 
The lasting effects of American chattel slavery still run very deep and strong here. I have spent my entire 31 years of life in a city that is >80% black, and therefore neglected by our local legislation: crumbling infrastructure, unclean water, underfunded social services, etc.
The generational trauma and white supremacy that this country was founded on still reverberates through our society. Mississippi was once the richest state in the colonies, our fertile lands being stolen from the indigenous people who’d lived here for millennia and labored by enslaved people, to build this country into what it is today.
And people who look like us consistently benefit from this morally corrupt system.
Anyone who denies that reality or the fact that its effects are still felt today, is not paying attention.
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