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Juneteenth 2021 – A New Federal Holiday

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Juneteenth 2021

We have a new Federal Holiday – June 19th – Juneteenth.

Today marks the 156th anniversary of the date when Union Army Major General Gordon Granger stood in Galveston, Texas, and announced to the enslaved Americans in Texas they were free.

Our current Democratic President, Joseph Biden, and Vice President, Kamala Harris, have declared this day a federal holiday.

Despite the debilitating efforts of some state legislatures to disenfranchise African Americans from voting and the need to change policing so that African Americans are no longer an endangered species in the judicial system, I am happy with this designation.

Why?

Because I have unknown African ancestors who were victims of human trafficking and these heroes should be commemorated.  It was a miracle they endured and survived the Middle Passage journey to land in the Americas.

Because I have unknown and known ancestors who were enslaved Americans that contributed to the success of the American experiment, and their “forced FREE” labor was the backbone of America’s economy.  This country is still benefitting from those efforts. 

Because this happiness is for Arkansas White (Maw), my maternal great-great-grandmother who was an enslaved American, 12 years old when emancipated, and separated from her family at that time.   We have yet to find what happened to them and their descendants.

Because this joy is for Annie White Hargrove Fears (MaDear), my grandmother who had terrible memories of celebrating Juneteenth when she was a young girl and, now, I can commemorate it in peace for her.

When I was a child, she told me the African American community would celebrate Juneteenth on the church grounds with a picnic.   However, domestic terrorists would constantly disrupt their celebration with their racist anger and destruction.  Yet, the African American community would still gather the following year.

Because this joy is for all, who went before me with their enduring strength, faith, and hope for their children even when they lived in desperate times, and I commit never to forget them.

Because this is for all who come after me, and I must endeavor to educate about their proud heritage.

I am happy and proud that OUR country has taken another step towards redemption, recognizing this critical date to African Americans.

  Now, let’s continue with securing voting rights and equality for the future generations of ALL Americans.

On Being Resolute

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A New Day Dawning

Sometimes life throws you a curveball that will reveal your strengths and weaknesses to you. 

Since 2017, I’ve been hit by some curveballs that have changed the trajectory of the remainder of my life. These changes are not bad or negative, but they are unexpected ones. I’m having to “roll with the punches” and deal with the emotions that come with the realization that I am not in control.

So, what have I learned about me?

Some of my lessons were revealed through comments from my dear SisterGirlfriends during the travails of the last three years.  

 One told me she believed I was a “super-woman.”  

Another one told me that she found me “unbreakable.” 

The one comment that humbled me was when my friend, who is battling a severe health issue, told me she found her strength by watching me.  

When I combine their comments and reflect on the journey of my entire life, there is one word that sums it up.  

 I am resolute.

The definition for resolute is BOLD, STEADY, RESOLVED. 

The synonyms for resolute are bent (on or upon), bound, decisive, determined, do-or-die, firm, hell-bent (on or upon), intent, out, purposeful, resolved, set, single-minded.

If these words define my character, then this “resoluteness” was forged through pain, grief, joy, tears, laughter, prayers, and all that illustrate the human experience.

It was formed on establishing a goal and “keeping my eyes on the prize” until I got there when things got foggy.  

It was founded on the belief that if I fail, then I must get back up and move forward.

It was reinforced through faith that God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit would be with me through whatever journey was before me.

Today, some friends are going through some pain and sadness.   

It is hard in our society and our personal lives right now.  

Some of us have experienced life-altering changes. 

Embrace each new day.

You will survive these troubling times.

Be resolute.

Juneteenth 2020 Dare to Remember

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Today marks the 155th anniversary of the date when Union Army Major General Gordon Granger stood in Galveston, Texas, and announced to the enslaved Americans in Texas they were free.

In the past, I held a disdain for the celebrations on this date because I could not understand why we would celebrate a day when our African-American ancestors were “given” something that never should have been denied them – freedom.

However, now, I know that I was misguided because I had not sought information beyond what I was taught in Texas public schools. In 2012, I discovered the truth when I visited the African American Civil War Memorial (http://www.afroamcivilwar.org) in Washington, D.C., and read specific wording in the Emancipation Proclamation.

It clearly stated that the Proclamation provided the freedom to the enslaved Americans in the seceding states once those states were conquered and had surrendered to the Union Army.

 For that reason, 200,000 African-American men, those who had escaped slavery and those who were born free, joined the Union Army despite the threat of immediate execution if taken prisoner by the Confederate Army. 

They did so to ensure that the Union Army defeated the traitorous Confederate Army to win the Civil War so their enslaved brothers and sisters would be freed.

In essence, African-American men fought courageously and won the freedom – it was not “given” to our ancestors.

Even though General Robert E. Lee surrendered on April 9, 1865, the last battle of the Civil War – Battle of Palmito Ranch – was fought in Texas on May 12 and 13, 1865. Texas was conquered, at this point, and the state was occupied by the African-American Union troops that helped defeat it. The enslaved Americans in Texas discovered their freedom one month later. The conditions of the Emancipation Proclamation had been satisfied, and freedom had been won.

It was an enlightening and proud moment for me to learn these facts, which had never been taught in school. Through my quest to always seek knowledge, I moved from disdain to pride in this date and its significance to my people, my state, and my country.  

Juneteenth is not just a holiday for African-Americans but ALL Americans. It is the date that our country decided to live up to our declaration that ALL men are created equal.

So, during this COVID-19 pandemic, I will celebrate with a good friend. We will attend together via Zoom, a virtual tour, and presentation at the National Museum of African-American History & Culture.    https://nmaahc.si.edu/blog-post/celebrating-juneteenth

I will proudly reflect on the journey and contribution of The Ancestors from 1619 to today. 

How will you celebrate Juneteenth?

A Renewal of YOU!

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January.  This month is all about renewal.

We think of rejuvenating the mind, body, and spirit to face the new year ahead.

We look back at the past year and consider how we can improve in the various lives we lead – Spiritual, Relational, Financial, Physical, and Intellectual.

We all should be seekers in the new year.

We should avoid those situations and persons that keep us stagnant – like a body of water that doesn’t flow.

Every aspect of your life should be flowing upstream to something uplifting.

Renewal is about seeking that which is uplifting in your life.

Here is a roadmap to consider in your search:

  • List those things and persons that kept you stagnant or forced you downstream in the past year.
  • Determine why you are holding on to it or them.
  • Imagine your life without the dormant forces.
  • Determine what it will take to let it or them go.
  • Brainstorm what change you could implement to uplift the essential aspects of your life where you felt you were stagnant.

If you desire a change but find it difficult to go it alone, consider a life coach.

Here is a link to an article to provide guidance on choosing one.

https://www.noomii.com/article/how-to-choose-a-life-coach

Take that first step to a new YOU in the new year.

Happy New Year 2019!

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Wishing everyone Peace, Prosperity and Purpose in the New Year!