19/06/2025
Today we pause our regular lab talk to honor Juneteenth — Freedom Day in the United States 🇺🇸
On June 19, 1865, General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas and read General Order No. 3, proclaiming that all people held in slavery were free. The news reached Texas two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed — a powerful reminder of how long injustice can linger, and how vital it is to continue standing up for human dignity.
A few years ago, while speaking in New Orleans about dispersing pigments, I took a detour and walked through an old plantation site just outside the city. The remnants of the enslaved quarters were still there — weathered cabins, iron fixtures in the walls, and a plaque listing names and ages of those who lived in bo***ge: seamstresses, carpenters, field workers. Some were just twelve years old. It was deeply sobering. It reminded me that the things I love — craftsmanship, chemistry, even bourbon-making — have a long, complex history, not all of it noble.
Texas may feel distant to some, but to me it’s close — a place I love returning to.
From the people to the spirit of freedom and resilience, Texas always leaves an imprint on me. And Juneteenth, born there, is a legacy we should all reflect on — no matter where we live or work.
Innovation means nothing without freedom. Progress means nothing without justice. As we celebrate Juneteenth, may we remember those who waited for their freedom — and make sure that in every lab, factory, or office, every voice has the chance to be heard.
