Just a reminder, to DUers outside Texas, Juneteenth is almost here!

From its Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the observance of June 19th as the African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond.

Today Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. It is a day, a week, and in some areas a month marked with celebrations, guest speakers, picnics and family gatherings. It is a time for reflection and rejoicing. It is a time for assessment, self-improvement and for planning the future. Its growing popularity signifies a level of maturity and dignity in America long over due. In cities across the country, people of all races, nationalities and religions are joining hands to truthfully acknowledge a period in our history that shaped and continues to influence our society today. Sensitized to the conditions and experiences of others, only then can we make significant and lasting improvements in our society.

http://www.juneteenth.com/

My father was visiting last week and told me that when he was in the Air Force stationed in San Antonio in the 50's, Juneteenth was a paid holiday for black Texans. Because he was from Tennessee, he had to work.

My first experience with Juneteenth was in Buffalo, NY in the early 80's. It was touted as being one of the oldest Juneteenth celebrations in the country (which is surprising because Buffalo was not really African-American friendly). A street fair, it was more important to look cute and be seen than to learn about our history. Ah, youth.

Can you imagine the riots that would have occured if someone had suggested a day off to celebrate the end of slavery in Georgia?? And that only black people would be allowed to celebrate it and be paid?? I get the shivers just thinking about it... :scared:

Btw, Xipe thanks for the OP and hope that you continue to post in AAIG! :hi:

I have nothing but hopes and good wishes for the AA community!

:bounce:

I have nothing but hopes and good wishes for the AA community!

:)

Tell me about your avatar!

Supermacho, Barefoot free balling indian sage, wrapped in an electric blanket.



He is a character invented by Eduardo del Río, AKA Rius.

I find Rius's cartoon style, with faces half white, half colored, deeply symbolic and appealing to me.

Rius is a famous Mexican intellectual, political cartoonist and writer born in Zamora, Michoacán.

One of the most popular Mexican cartoonists, Rius has written over a hundred books that remain widely popular, especially amongst his Mexican readers. Rius is a fierce political activist, and his progressive and left wing point of view is often present in his writings, accompanied by a strong criticism about neo-liberal Mexican doctrines, US Government policies and the Catholic Church.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rius

:hi:

Ohh, I LOVE it!! :loveya:

I think it's done just for me. But also because of what it represents for my culture and people. :woohoo:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x5866170

If you have photos/news/stories about Juneteenth to share there, thanks very much. :toast:

I'm certainly biased but after visiting many forums and watching the way people carry on here on DU, this group is by FAR the most intelligent, most interesting and most common sense-full (is that a word??) group/forum on this site.

I'm glad that more members are participating and even more glad that even when we disagree that we are always respectful to one another. Happy Juneteenth, guys. And somebody make Hamden Rice donate to the site again so that he can come back to AAIG!