Diverse on Juneteenth

Happy Juneteenth, this marks the end yesterday of Slavery over two hundred years ago. But for some aren't so lucky. There are still different forms of this act of inhuman acts.

Thus, far I have learned a lot of my culture mostly in Saint Lucia. Now I have a new home in Cleveland which is very diverse community that I really love. Yes, there are shady cops but that's everywhere in this day and age.

Everyone seems to romanticise interracial couples, or as I love to call it Interracial love.

The first ever marking of the federal holiday of Juneteenth marks the ending of slavery in America.

This is very intriguing because learning I have 20% African American and the rest of my percentage is white and indigenous I find this to be very interesting.

The history behind Juneteenth

On June 19th, 1865, former President Abraham Lincoln emancipated enslaved African slaves marking the end of slavery. Shortly after this abolishment of this act union troops march to Galveston, Texas delivering the news to over 250,000 enslaved African Americans that they are free. Can you image the news of being free coming from innocent men, women, and children? The heinous inhumane acts done against them will be no more.

A quote from Galveston, Texas that started it all, “The colored people of Galveston celebrated their emancipation from slavery yesterday by a procession. Notwithstanding the storm some eight hundred or a thousand men, women and children took part in the demonstration. The procession was orderly and creditable to those participating in it. A meeting was held in the colored Church, on Broadway [present day Reedy Chapel], at which addresses were delivered by a number of speakers, among whom was Gen. Gregory, Assistant Commissioner of Freedmen. The General gave them a great deal of good, plain advice, which, if they follow, will redown to their well being and prosperity. The Emancipation Proclamation of President Lincoln was read. The singing, John Brown’s body lies mouldering in the ground, was also a part of the programme. So far as we observed there was no interference nor any improper conduct on the part of spectators.”

– Flake’s Bulletin, 2 January 1866.

In this time reading these powerful words I could only imagine the joy, and mixed feelings from the these events.

A former reporter had this to say on the day this event was celebrated, “The old plantation melodies …were transformed into a new song and the sunshine of the dreams that once dwelt in their hearts burst full and fair upon them as they both felt and realized the fullness of the freedom that is now theirs—not only to enjoy but to perpetuate….The conclusion of the day went out amid the pleasures that always cluster about the ball-room (sic), and if a memory of olden times came back from the ringing shout of the dancers as the ‘break-down’ was getting the benefit of their ‘best licks,’ it is to be hoped that the contrast suggested more of pleasure than regret. The colored people of Galveston certainly deported themselves creditably in celebrating ‘their 4th of July.'” – Flake’s Bulletin, 20 June 1878.

I can only image these mixed feelings in the air, and the way of life taken away from the south. Even though the former president did something great it is devastating.

Someone had once told me something I will never forget we suffer from the sins of our parents. It just makes me wonder in this darkest part of American history freewill did God want the kids to suffer from the sins of the parents? I don't want to get religious on anyone but so many things throughout history has happened and a higher power seems to step in when darkness happens. If so why did God want the Africans to suffer, Native Americans land being stolen, and Jewish people to suffer during World War II? It's a question I think we will never have an answer to.