Firstly, I want all to know, whether you are black, white, or candy-stripped, that next week is JUNETEENTH. For all those who aren’t familiar with JUNETEENTH, it commemorates June 19, 1865, the day Union General Gordon Granger and 2,000 federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to take possession of the state and enforce the emancipation of its slaves. Though the Emancipation Proclamation had been issued on September 22, 1862, with an effective date of January 1, 1863, it had minimal immediate effect on most slaves’ day-to-day lives, particularly in Texas, which was almost entirely under Confederate control.
So in layman’s terms, it’s sort of like Black Independence Day so to speak. It represents the last of the slaves being “freed” and the start of Reconstruction. I hope everyone takes the time out next week to truly think about how lucky you are to be “free”, in the sense that you were not born into bondage. Also, pay homage to all the black folks who never made it out of slavery. Especially the ones from the first few generations of American born African slaves. To be born, live and die a slave has to be one of the most horrible experiences ever. On June 19th 2009, have a moment of reflection, at least.
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