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Juneteenth

In 1776 the Declaration of Independence was signed and in 1870, July 4th became a national holiday legislated by Congress. In 1863 the Emancipation Proclamation was signed and years later, on June 19, 1866, the celebration’s first started for freedom from slavery and only to those of the previously enslaved population now known African Americans but quietly and never taught about in schools, until “Juneteenth” became a national holiday legislated by Congress on June 16, 2021.

It is as clear as a natural spring with its clear waters flowing, just how much “ Black Lives Matter” by looking at the history of Congress and their decisions on when to declare an important day as a national holiday, along with a President who sleeps on the decision to sign a public government apology written in black AND white ironically, as well as the problems associated with receiving current information in the favor of equality, freedom, and justice for all. It is the “flow” of timing we must work on though.

Did you know it only took ninety-four years after the Declaration of Independence was signed for Congress to make July Fourth a holiday? No? Did you also have no clue it took one hundred and fifty-five years for Congress to declare Juneteenth a holiday? Yeah? Me too. Just me giving the world a view of my own ignorance as white person for a quick second. Like most white people I get uncomfortable talking about race, so I must insert a joke to lighten the mood when feeling too uncomfortable. Yes, I could have asked more questions. Yes, I should have asked more questions.

Although when I did ask any questions, I was told to mind my business or ignored by a teacher or any adult that I thought was wise enough to answer. I was not given freedom of knowledge by public schools. I was given the privilege of learning the government's knowledge they wanted me to know in their public schools. Their freedom was “free” and therefore could teach what they wanted you to know and leave out all the amazing African American history.

But we were always taught about and celebrated Independence Day in schools and not once did anyone teach us about Juneteenth Day, the real day for celebrations! Seeing the parties being planned on all social media platforms makes me as angry as a hungry hippo because of all the FOOD described! Is this the real reason we were not taught about it? Because white people were afraid? More like afraid they would finally find out their food is BLAND??

Joe Biden signed the legislation the next day. Was he asleep when Congress met up and legislated the national holiday that sunny day? I’m sure, after an exceptionally long night's rest in the White House bed while the sun rose on the White House lawn that left a crystal-clear dew on the grass blades, Biden signs as soon as he wakes right? No. The next day. After coffee and reading the newspaper, we can only assume the cushioned lifestyle the President of the United States has. At least, this is what they will teach the next generation if we do not put an end to injustice now.

I would think he would want the African American voters to know Black Lives Matter by signing into law a national holiday for ending slavery, this day of such importance that God shows up to all Juneteenth events, less than one hundred and fifty-five years after Congress passed legislation to show Juneteenth as a national holiday. The one-day passing, before he puts his fancy President’s pen to the paper that is probably recycled from paper shredded from African American history books - you know, the ones we never got to read or know about in public schools, tells you signing it is not a priority still just like history has taught us it isn't by erasing it. For goodness sakes, Paul Revere galloped on a horse to tell others the British are coming, right? So, why did it take Texas two years to learn of the abolishing of slavery when we had a better way of passing messages in 1863?

The First Transcontinental Telegraph was completed in 1861 and pretty much overnight put the Pony Express out of business. Maybe, it was the fun fact that the first transcontinental telegraph “system had to be rerouted through Chicago to avoid Confederate attempts to cut the line in Missouri to disrupt communications among Union forces.” No wonder society gives black people the stereotype of being lazy! Not being able to communicate, due to cut lines, to your master that you would be late for work was the first step in their long game I see.

The amount of time to recognize a problem, find a solution, inform the masses, and celebrate the changes made takes a greater amount of time for the African American population than that of the white population. Seems to me that no matter what strife is overcome in the African American people gaining their God-given rights and freedoms, white political leaders will always be there to try and stop it from happening. When it does happen, it is not SHOUTED FROM THE ROOFTOPS like every other holiday celebrating Presidents and their days of birth are.

BIG thanks to every printed calendar before Google as well as all the pop-ups online now reminding me every year that my birthday is the same as President Truman’s. It would have been cooler to know that Mary Lou Williams was born on the same day instead.

References

Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopedia (2022, April 19). Harry S Truman. Encyclopedia Britannica.

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Harry-S-Truman

Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopedia (2022, April 19). Juneteenth. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Juneteenth

Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopedia (2022, May 24). Mary Lou Williams. Encyclopedia Britannica.

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mary-Lou-Williams