Who’s Juneteenth
It’s for the culture
For many years they call us in Texas
Slow
The popular reason is, ensalved Africans in Texas were the last ones to find out about the Emancipation Proclamation.
Remember in order for an Executive Order to be implemented. The State has to be under the Union. Texas at this time was still under the Confederate Banner.
Since the proclamation on January 1st, 1863. It took the Union over two years to spread the news. Once the Union Army defeated the Confederacy in Galveston. They were able to execute the Emancipation Proclamation
It’s 2024 and everyone is in on it, including Walmart. Although it’s a Texas phenomenon, it has spread across the nation. Now on June 19th, all Africans in America have their own Juneteenth celebration.
The argument now is trying to figure out
Who’s Juneteenth?
Who does it belong to?
My answer is
It’s for the culture!!!
But
Who’s it for?
Who can lay claim on it?
Here are some reasons why I know it’s for the culture!
It’s For US
What I mean by that is it is a celebration of culture. A reunion of recognition. Remember some Africans could not venture further south to reconnect with loved ones. It was not until they got the word that everyone was free. Even then there were some risks. Some could not reunite at all. Now, we all can celebrate our culture together, in our own sacred spaces.
This is not a Texas thing or a regional thing. No matter when or where, slavery affected you. At one time depending on the landing of the boat. If you are of African descent, it so happened that you landed somewhere else be it
Haiti
New York
Jamaica
Georgia
Brazil
Florida
Dominican Republic
Virginia
The Carolinas
It doesn’t matter. Slavery impacted the African culture. Now we are to celebrate the freedoms we have as one culture.
I’m going to be honest, our brothers and sisters in the diaspora have their celebrations. From what I know, our families are welcoming us. They encourage us to come and enjoy the
Festivals,
Mardi Gras
The Carnivals
Whenever we come. So let’s not gatekeep our cultural experience from each other. Some may disagree, and that’s fine. As a Texas boy, I’m telling you Juneteenth is the for the culture!
Quick Rant
We as a people need to stop majoring in the minors. We have other issues to deal with than to assert our authority over something that was established in one place over a hundred years ago. That’s it let’s continue.
It’s for the Ancestors
They were the ones who had to endure things we could never imagine. They felt the pain and anguish of chattel slavery in the North and the South. This celebration is for them. They established this event not knowing how widespread it would become. Now we are celebrating it in
San Diego
Los Angeles
Denver
Baltimore
Waxahachie
The DMV
Chicago
Detroit
(If I missed a city type it for me!)
Wherever Africans in America are, we are doing it for the ancestors. The ones that looked into the future with hope. Our ancestors were the ones who planted shade trees of wisdom, and knowledge. Knowing they would not sit under them.
Now that we know who it’s for.
How to celebrate it
My answer is however you feel. It can be with
Food
Dance
Education
Music
A parade
Drums
A Slam Poetry Session
But most importantly
BBQ!!!
Conclusion
I know someone may disagree, or want something deep or profound. Not today, the word Juneteenth was a merge between the day and the culture for which it represents. In its simplicity there is profundity. All I am going to say is
It’s for the culture!
Talk to you later.
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