Juneteenth
On June 19, 1865, two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, word of their freedom came to the slaves of Texas. Major General Gordon Granger brought the news via General Order Number 3, which began:
“The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and free laborer.”
This is clearly a truly American holiday, as it marks the end of slavery in the United States only. Imagining the joy and relief of the former slaves upon hearing that they were no longer enslaved, could no longer be bought and sold and separated from family members, that they would now be paid for their labor, is nearly impossible. Having never lived under such a repressive and cruel system, I cannot truly understand that sweet feeling.
In reading about Juneteenth, I was struck by the element of dress in early celebrations. When looking for a picture for my post, I found several of people appearing to be dressed in their finest at about that time.
What is especially significant is when you understand that not only had most slaves never owned decent clothing, there were laws on the books in many areas that prohibited or limited the dressing of the enslaved. Amazing. I assume this was partially to help avoid mistaking the occasional free black person with a slave, but that the deeper reason would be to keep the slaves feeling their inadequacy in comparison with their masters. To keep them beaten down and cowed. The concept is truly difficult to grasp.
In my family, we have ancestors who fought for both sides of the Civil War. Family who were anti-slavery, and family who owned slaves. And one story of a slave ancestor, though we’re not sure how to determine the veracity of that one at all. While I do not take the honor nor the blame, I do recognize that my family was certainly involved in this struggle for several generations.
Just in time for Juneteenth celebrations, the U.S. Senate yesterday passed resolution apologizing for slavery and racial segregation and sent the measure to the House. A formal celebration will be held next month in the Capital Rotunda. I kind of wish that the final resolution had passed tomorrow, but no one asked me, and I’m sure they have their reasons.
In honor of Juneteenth, perhaps take a bit of time today to think about slavery, about the repercussions for our country and our world. Perhaps celebrate with family. A traditional celebration would usually include bbq, according to the Juneteenth website, so I’m thinking we’ll have some bbq chicken and a cobbler.
Happy Juneteenth, everyone!
7 Comments
Ted
The Senate’s apology was one that was carefully crafted so there would be no opportunity for African Americans to seek reparations for slavery. The U.S. government apologized for the internment of Japanese Americans and paid money to those who were forced to live in the camps (and their descendants), but nothing for the African Americans descended from slaves? What kind of apology is that?
J
I would say that there are a lot more descendants of slaves than those interned in the camps, and that the issue of slavery and racism in America is still extremely volatile. So they were being pragmatic at best, racist at worst, and surely very careful.
dadwhowrites
The other thing is, after a hundred years, how do you decide who is and who isn’t a descendant? Volatile wouldn’t even begin to describe it. It’s where you start to see the common sense of the policy in South Africa post-apartheid, however bitter it might have been. How can you ever put something right if you can’t draw a line and start again? I’m thinking of the Orange Men. marching and marching and perpetuating the violence in Northern Ireland (my mother’s side are Irish Catholics) and those on the other side who can’t let go of that particularly horrid cycle.
Jimmy
Happy Juneteenth
gotta question for ya?
What is the difference between Bird Flu and Swine Flu?
J
Jimmy, birds can catch bird flu, and pigs can catch swine flu, but eating them doesn’t transmit the flu to humans. The disease can be transmitted by a sick bird or a sick pig (depending if it’s bird or pig) to humans, though that’s not generally how it is transmitted. It just means that both pigs and humans can get swine flu. And people mostly transmit it to each other in normal flu ways.
That’s my understanding of it, at least.
Jimmy
It was a joke really!!!!!
For bird flu you need tweetment and for swine flu you need oinkment.
J
HA! You got me! You always ask me these questions, and I always think you’re serious. Never again! Cute joke, btw.