Do you know about Juneteenth?
Gina Rosenthal
Product Marketing Leader | AI Enthusiast | Founder & CEO at Digital Sunshine Solutions | Co-Host of Tech Aunties Podcast
I created Digital Sunshine Solutions with a basic premise: that sunshine is healing. If you shine sunshine on a problem, you can tease out how to solve it.
In that spirit, I am sharing this information from the National Museum of African American History and Culture about Juneteenth .
Today is Juneteenth y'all. June 19th. Let's shine sunshine on why this is an important date in American History.
When was the 1st Juneteenth
President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1963. It took nearly two years for Union troops to arrive in Galveston Bay, Texas with news of freedom for these formerly enslaved Texans.
I am going to pause here - how many of you were taught this in school? I know I wasn't. Just for a little more sunshine, think about this. After emancipation, people had to go hunting for their family who had been sold and sent elsewhere. Many had to catch up on their education. They had to start from scratch with nothing at all.
Can you even imagine?
Juneteenth is a federal holiday
Juneteenth became a holiday in 2021. The black community uses the day to "celebrate African American resilience and achievement while aiding in the preservation of those historical narratives". In other words, not allowing this history to be forgotten.
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It's important for all of us to know and understand the complete story of America. If this is your first time hearing the story, dig in! This is only a part of the entire story, reconstruction and the period of Jim Crow will blow your mind.
What if you're white? What can you do on Juneteenth?
Learn the entire story of America. Open up a window and let the sun shine in.
Also, support your black friends this week! Maybe your company doesn't observe the holiday. Help with your friends' workload so they can join their community celebrations. Who knows, maybe you'll even get invited to the cookout!
If you live in the Austin area, be extra compassionate after the tragedy of this weekend. Defend your friends from any racist remarks that may get thrown about, as their community is really feeling it right now.
We can't change what happened in the past. But we darn sure can make sure that it doesn't happen again. The masks drop when there are no black faces in the room, and you will hear and see things that aren't right. Don't let it pass. Defend your friends and our future by demanding that sort of language isn't used.
Happy Juneteenth
Happy Juneteenth y'all. Have a joyous day!
Preventing Digital Liability | Preserving Brand Security
5 个月I was probably 16 when I heard my father and brother talking about Juneteenth. My father knew about Juneteenths because he had been stationed in the Texas in the 1950s. My brother went to grad school at U of T the 70s and was required to take a Texas history course, that was his introduction. The topic never came in my HS or college courses.