The word sonder is defined as "the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own-populated with their own ambitions, friends, routines, worries . . ." However, most of us are unwilling to take the time to bear witness to, understand, or feel what it's like to truly walk in the shoes of those whose lives are so very different, or perhaps so very much the same as our own. Miss Juneteenth is a beautifully written and directed character study-an intimate, emotional exploration of the enduring and endearing resilience of the Black woman-as told through the seemingly insurmountable challenges that typify the day-to-day life experiences of Turquoise Jones (Nicole Beharie). Her work ethic is palpable, only to be matched by the unwavering, righteous sacrifices she makes to firmly yet lovingly guide her daughter Kai (Alexis Chikaeze) into adulthood; her fortitude so unflappable that her light shines brighter than any star in the Texas night sky. Yet through it all, she remains unequivocally regal, consistently maintaining a calmness, a groundedness, that espouses the attributes of a true queen-in any circumstance, context, time, or place.
June 19, 1865, is not a distant, imperceivable moment in time-a mere 115 years ago and a span of less than 4 generations-yet this country remains in perpetual, delusional denial about the lasting social and economic implications and catastrophic impacts that the institution of slavery continues to exert upon Black lives. The film's backdrop of Fort Worth, Texas, offers viewers a rare and intimate glimpse into the daily lives of working-class Black folk. Their stories are that of persistence, characterized by immense yet fleeting moments of joy, unprecedented achievement, and the power of togetherness amidst the pain and sorrows of uncertainty, are more than worth being told. People's voice is undeniably and artistically emancipatory.
June 19, 1865, is not a distant, imperceivable moment in time-a mere 115 years ago and a span of less than 4 generations-yet this country remains in perpetual, delusional denial about the lasting social and economic implications and catastrophic impacts that the institution of slavery continues to exert upon Black lives. The film's backdrop of Fort Worth, Texas, offers viewers a rare and intimate glimpse into the daily lives of working-class Black folk. Their stories are that of persistence, characterized by immense yet fleeting moments of joy, unprecedented achievement, and the power of togetherness amidst the pain and sorrows of uncertainty, are more than worth being told. People's voice is undeniably and artistically emancipatory.