In early May, Whitworth University welcomed the Rev. Rasool Berry to campus for a unique Juneteenth event that combined film, conversation and community. Berry, a Brooklyn, N.Y.-based pastor and filmmaker, shared his documentary “Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom,” which explores the spiritual roots of the holiday and how newly emancipated people saw their story reflected in Scripture.
Before the screening, students, faculty and staff gathered for a barbecue and poetry reading, opening space for reflection and connection. “There’s something about a shared experience,” Berry says. “Watching the film together, then talking about it, it brings people together in a way that’s hard to replicate.”
Berry’s visit marked his first time in Spokane. “The air tastes different here,” he joked. “It’s beautiful. I’m grateful to Whitworth for giving me a break from the concrete jungle.”
Berry shared how the documentary was inspired by discovering that Juneteenth was once called Jubilee Day. “As a theologian, that lit something in me,” he says. “These newly freed people saw themselves in Leviticus 25, where Jubilee meant freedom for the enslaved and forgiveness of debts. They believed it wasn’t just Lincoln or the Union troops who freed them. It was God.”
He also pointed to Luke 4:18, where Jesus proclaims freedom for the oppressed. “That’s Jubilee,” Berry says. “Jesus brings together righteousness and justice. We don’t have to choose between caring for spiritual or physical needs. They’re connected.”
The event was a collaboration between ASWU, the Office of DEI, the Office of Church Engagement, campus ministry, student life, the Black Student Union and the Whitworth Student Athlete Advisory Committee. Hosting it in May allowed for broader student participation before summer break.
Whitworth encourages learning that sparks curiosity and creativity. This Juneteenth gathering wasn’t just about looking back. It was about imagining what freedom and faith can look like today, and how we carry those stories forward together.
Worth a Look 