Freedom on Juneteenth - What have we forgotten...
Every year for 140 years we have continued to celebrate that
fateful Juneteenth day in Galveston, Texas when the 2 year old
news arrived that the emancipation proclamation had been signed
freeing all slaves. Black slavery was abolished on this
Juneteenth day in Texas and an emancipation proclamation summary
was delivered throughout Texas either officially or
unofficially. But have we remembered to celebrate everything?
This Juneteenth celebration a final blow to American slavery has
moved beyond the borders of Galveston, beyond the borders of the
great State of Texas, beyond the borders of the U.S. to encircle
several countries and faiths and peoples. We need to ask
ourselves - have we remembered to celebrate everything?
Juneteenth in Galveston Texas is sometimes celebrated for a day
or a week and even a whole month. Being freed from slavery can
have that kind of memorable effect to where you want generation
after generation to almost feel the embrace of emancipation. To
remember Juneteenth not only as a time to barbeque and drink -
but as a historic marker of freedom for a downtrodden people.
Juneteenth celebrations and Texas emancipation should be
synonymous in our minds - to be taught to our children as
history so that it will never be repeated. Remember to celebrate
everything.
Texas emancipation law is that - an actual law on a physical
piece of paper, that needs to be read and remembered.
Emancipation in Texas was not taken lightly 140 years ago, we
must also remember and try to imagine what it was like to hear
the emancipation proclamation summary. Imagine what it was like
standing there with half your strength already gone from working
all morning (read 4 a.m. until), what it was like to have whip
marks on or backs that itched or ached even if they had already
healed from years ago.
Imagine standing there barefoot and barely clothed in rags to
hear - you are FREE. In your Juneteenth celebrations, remember
to celebrate everything - you are FREE.
African american slavery is a crime punishable by law.
Juneteenth day from now on has to empahasize, remember to
celebrate everything - you are FREE.
The plight of african american people has a solution - FREEDOM.
Remember to celebrate everything.
Daviyd Peterson