Why I Don't Celebrate Juneteenth ...
Throughout history, every race of mankind had to fight to gain his freedom, except the Black race. It's hard to be a historian when one has only graduated sixth grade, but I've learned enough t know that we are the only people who relied on others to gain our human independence.
Case history: Nigerians are/were far too aggressive to be taken into slavery, so the Irish Europeans went to the western coast of Africa where the natives were known to be a lot more docile and therefore easily taken into custody. (Which is why many of you who know Nigerians probably have a hard time getting along, b/c there is no blood connection there as you might think. But, if you choose to go visit the Ivory Coast, like Ghana, for example, you'll realize that you have dual citizenship automatically -- b/c they still recognize you as one of their own and 400 years has not been enough time to break that bond.) Bound, separated from tribe and family, and huddled in together in masses for an unforeseen journey.
And, here's my problem: I'm part Cherokee (my great-grand dad was 100% Cherokee), you rarely see any Native Americans anymore because THEY ALL DIED! They would rather fight 'til their death in battle than to surrender their land or families to the White man. If I were going to celebrate ANYONE in my lineage it would be those great warriors.
On May 5, those of Mexican heritage will "celebrate" their revolution -- because they "fought" and "won" their battle against the French. WE celebrate the reading of a proclamation that "gave" us our freedom -- and even after receiving the "freedom speech", were STILL held captive until compassionate White folks fought our battles for us. It's called the Civil War.
One of my clients is the Buffalo Soldiers Museum in Houston, who are so very proud of their contributions made fighting for this land -- I say they should have turned the guns around and joined w/the Indians. Besides, many of us have Indian blood b/c those who were captured were retained with the other captives -- Negroes -- and had each other to sleep with. So why not fight together if you ended up sleeping together?
But that was then and this is now. So, fast forward to the end result: the "new" Negroes -- combining natural, brute strength of the Black African man mixed with a never surrender blood of the Native American = Black Americans. If THAT'S what we celebrate then I'm on board! In fact, I'll be the ring leader of that circus -- but that's not what Juneteenth is all about. So, go ahead and enjoy your "we shall overcome" church songs, barbecue, red soda water and outdoor family fun -- it's all good. And, Happy Juneteenth to YOU!
Case history: Nigerians are/were far too aggressive to be taken into slavery, so the Irish Europeans went to the western coast of Africa where the natives were known to be a lot more docile and therefore easily taken into custody. (Which is why many of you who know Nigerians probably have a hard time getting along, b/c there is no blood connection there as you might think. But, if you choose to go visit the Ivory Coast, like Ghana, for example, you'll realize that you have dual citizenship automatically -- b/c they still recognize you as one of their own and 400 years has not been enough time to break that bond.) Bound, separated from tribe and family, and huddled in together in masses for an unforeseen journey.
And, here's my problem: I'm part Cherokee (my great-grand dad was 100% Cherokee), you rarely see any Native Americans anymore because THEY ALL DIED! They would rather fight 'til their death in battle than to surrender their land or families to the White man. If I were going to celebrate ANYONE in my lineage it would be those great warriors.
On May 5, those of Mexican heritage will "celebrate" their revolution -- because they "fought" and "won" their battle against the French. WE celebrate the reading of a proclamation that "gave" us our freedom -- and even after receiving the "freedom speech", were STILL held captive until compassionate White folks fought our battles for us. It's called the Civil War.
One of my clients is the Buffalo Soldiers Museum in Houston, who are so very proud of their contributions made fighting for this land -- I say they should have turned the guns around and joined w/the Indians. Besides, many of us have Indian blood b/c those who were captured were retained with the other captives -- Negroes -- and had each other to sleep with. So why not fight together if you ended up sleeping together?
But that was then and this is now. So, fast forward to the end result: the "new" Negroes -- combining natural, brute strength of the Black African man mixed with a never surrender blood of the Native American = Black Americans. If THAT'S what we celebrate then I'm on board! In fact, I'll be the ring leader of that circus -- but that's not what Juneteenth is all about. So, go ahead and enjoy your "we shall overcome" church songs, barbecue, red soda water and outdoor family fun -- it's all good. And, Happy Juneteenth to YOU!
Correct me where I'm wrong; I'd love to know, bro.