Happy Belated Anniversary

Sometimes in life we do things backwards. And, because of a lack of knowledge we continue to do them. The ritual and tradition itself becomes more of the event than the celebration of the original event.

Every June 19th, African-Americans or Black people celebrate this day as the day the slaves were finally freed. This date has become a portmanteau word and is commonly known as “Juneteenth.” (A portmanteau word is when two functional words are fused together to make one new word. In society today it used to rename a couple like “Billary” or “Benafer”). I digress.

There are several problems with the celebration of Juneteenth Day:

1. To recognize that slaves were set free means to recognize that they were once slaves. The African who was illegally transported during the middle passage from Africa to the New World was not a slave but a victim. To be stolen from your homeland, stripped of all dignity and pride and sold as animals constitutes something less than slavery. Would you call a girl who was kidnapped, beat and raped a slave? No. So neither will I call my ancestors of a proud heritage and people “slaves.” As evil as a word as slavery is, it is lighter than victim and that is why it used.
2. The so-called slave was supposedly freed by the Emancipation Proclamation by President Lincoln. But, it gets better. According to political historians, Lincoln signed this on September 22, 1862 but it was not issued to go into effect until January 1, 1863. How do you think those last few months were for this so-called slave population? All so-called slaves across the union were supposedly free men after this date. Yet, history tells us that even after this day things were not fair and equal.
3. We celebrate Juneteenth day because on June 19, 1865 the so-called slaves in Galveston, Texas were finally told that they were freed by this Proclamation almost two and half years later. (Do you think they got back pay?)

I know Black people be on CPT, but damn two and half years? And, I am not talking about those unfortunate people in Galveston who had no clue; but, this generation that continually celebrates this day. I can see why in Texas this date could hold so much value.  I can see why all America could celebrate it as the day when the last so-called slave was freed. However, I believe most people (Black and White) believe this is the day that the entire so-called slave population was set free.

Why don’t we have a celebration on September 22nd, January 1st, and June 19th? I am sorry. I can not fully celebrate this day as a celebration. I will reserve the day to celebrate when their is true equality within America. Jim Crow showed us we could not legislate morality. I, nor my people, were ever slaves, we were victims! To call it anything less is criminal itself. I will recognize these dates as dates my ancestors were given back their inalienable rights; but, how can I really celebrate that. I can appreciate it to an extent, but I cannot fully celebrate.

I am not hating on America, only. Every country on every continent has a past it would like erased from the annals of history. I bring it up so we never forget it, so we never repeat it. I love America –despite her flaws, but I would be less than a citizen of her not to point out ways in which she errored in the past. We bring attention to these errors, as not to repeat them and to improve her until she lives up to the promises she was founded upon.

I am happy Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, regardless if he wanted to end the vile institution of slavery or not. I am glad the brothers and sisters finally got the news in Texas. But, I am not willing to call my ancestors slaves. I will show my appreciation to them by how I live today.

The irony of all of this is how we celebrate. What would our ancestors think of their descendants if they saw how we treated this so-called day of celebration? Celebrate with your actions toward the improvement of your community and country. That would be a real celebration, one that never has to end. Are your really ready to celebrate? If so, Happy Belated Anniversary.

Accept it with the love that it was written with, beloved

The BLAQUESMITH

 

~ by blaquesmith20 on June 19, 2008.