Happy Juneteenth Day!!!
Though the Emancipation Proclamation had taken effect on January 1, 1863, it had little immediate effect on most slaves' day-to-day lives, particularly in Texas, which was almost entirely under Confederate control. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day Union General Gordon Granger and 2,000 federal troops arrived on Galveston Island to take possession of the state and enforce slaves' new freedoms. Standing on the balcony of Galveston's Ashton Villa, Granger read the contents of "General Order No. 3":The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.
Today Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. It is a day, a week, and in some areas a month marked with celebrations, guest speakers, picnics and family gatherings. It is a time for reflection and rejoicing. It is a time for assessment, self-improvement and for planning the future. Its growing popularity signifies a level of maturity and dignity in America long over due. In cities across the country, people of all races, nationalities and religions are joining hands to truthfully acknowledge a period in our history that shaped and continues to influence our society today. Sensitized to the conditions and experiences of others, only then can we make significant and lasting improvements in our society.
posted by Mica @ 4:59 PM
1 Comments:
My workout trainer and I were talking about this today. She said something that really really got me to thinking. She said she was thinking about the slaves that came out with less than nothing, and how they built up from there. She said "when I think of that, I get angry at folks playing the 'race card' [she's black] as to why they can't succeed. Look at our forebears. They should be ashamed." She is an amazing woman -- totally accomplished, very much a "role model" for me in a lot of ways. She has done a lot of travelling, she looks AMAZING (and she's like 10 years older than I am), does what she loves, does charity that she loves (with dogs/Humane Society), etc. AND, she came from being addicted to drugs/alcohol, SERIOUSLY in debt, etc. -- you would NEVER know it looking at her, but I have found out a lot about her life (as she's punishing me at the gym (laugh)). She got out of a dead-end job, by, as she said "paying attention." She said that she was addicted, in debt, in a job she hated, etc. because she "let life run her, she didn't run her life." I am in awe of her -- she does what she loves, she just SHINES with energy, etc. AND, she wasn't born with a "silver spoon" in her mouth either -- she did it all herself, and from a "hole" of drugs/alcohol/debt/etc. too.
Post a Comment
<< Home