At San Francisco JCC, and other places across the U.S., crowds gathered to commemorate day that the last Black slaves were set free in 1866. 'I think we have an obligation to understand that slavery is not just this amorphous thing in ancient history,' says one New Jersey cantor

Journalist and author Isabel Wilkerson reflects on this year's Juneteenth celebrations — and the push and pull of the Black experience in America.

With flags, ceremonies, parades and pomp, celebrations across the United States marked the day the promise of freedom finally rang true for more Americans.

At San Francisco JCC, and other places across the U.S., crowds gathered to commemorate day that the last Black slaves were set free in 1866. 'I think we have an obligation to…