Hallelujah Anyway

Author Anne Lamott, a longtime supporter and patron of the Marin City Library, wrote a book titled Hallelujah Anyway, a reflection on “radical kindness” and mercy in times of chaos.

“Hallelujah” is a word deeply rooted in the Black community. It is, of course, an expression of praise—an acknowledgment of something greater than oneself. But it is also a declaration of relief, a gesture of surrender, and an affirmation of hope and support in difficult times.

Juneteenth is a holiday I grew up celebrating in Texas. It commemorates June 19, 1865, the day enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, finally learned that the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed. Although the federal government had sent couriers throughout the South to announce emancipation, it was not until Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston that the news reached many enslaved Texans—two and a half years after the proclamation had taken effect.

Juneteenth holds historical and cultural significance for the Black community and marks a pivotal milestone in the ongoing struggle for civil rights and equality. In recent years, it has been embraced by people of many backgrounds and experiences and is often referred to as “Freedom Day”.

Yet the work of securing equal rights remains unfinished. Voting laws enacted and proposed in Texas and other Southern states have disproportionately affected minority communities, particularly Black voters. Restrictions on voting methods, limitations on mail-in voting, reduced early voting opportunities, and stricter identification requirements can create barriers that suppress participation and weaken representation in the democratic process.

It is difficult to believe that more than 160 years have passed since June 19, 1865, and that many of these challenges persist. Throughout our nation's history, progress toward civil rights has rarely followed a straight path. Hard-fought victories are often met with resistance, and gains that once seemed secure can feel increasingly fragile.

This Juneteenth, it is important to remember those who came before us—those who fought, sacrificed, and organized for justice. We honor well-known leaders such as John Lewis, Fannie Lou Hamer, Barbara Jordan, and Shirley Chisholm.

We also remember allies whose names are less widely known: Viola Liuzzo, Andrew Goodman, Michael Schwerner, and Jonathan Daniels. Each worked alongside others in pursuit of a more just and equitable society.

Today, many people find it difficult to sustain that work. The challenges can feel overwhelming. The light at the end of the tunnel often seems distant, and exhaustion is real. I know it is for me.

When I reflect on my own childhood, I remember my family integrating into communities, schools, the country club, and restaurants. I vividly recall the first time I became aware that an establishment was segregated.

I also remember waking up on Thanksgiving morning, while in high school in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, to find a four-foot cross burned on our lawn. My parents chose to leave it standing, and I think the whole town drove by, slowly, to see it that day.

And here we are. Still.

The Marin County Free Library's Five-Year Strategic Plan is grounded in anti-racism and equity, with core commitments to Community Power, Joyful Learning, and Collective Impact. As the plan states, “Our strong relationships, deep community connections, and engagement with diverse cultures make us uniquely positioned for this work” (Strategic Plan, p. 5).

This Juneteenth, may we honor those who fought before us—their courage, their perseverance, and their commitment to working together even in the most difficult times. May we draw strength from their example, support one another, and find joy in our daily lives, especially in the small moments that sustain us.

And may we remain committed to the ongoing pursuit of justice, equity, and freedom for all.

Hallelujah Anyway!

Contributed by Stephanie Hartwell-Mandella