HAVE A PROUD AND HAPPY JUNETEENTH!

[sheshe2]

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.

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Let's make Juneteenth a commemorative, not of the horrific institution our country embraced, but rather as a showcase of the strength in the American spirit to recognize wrong and set about making it right. In this same spirit America moves ahead today in leveling playing fields and achieivng ever greater equality. Let us celebrate all that Juneteenth teaches us about our country's greatness in ouruse of the heart to hear and to learn and to work together for all that is good and just.

John Albuquerque
In June of 2008, my grandmother was laid to rest. As our funeral procession passed near Wichita State University in Wichita, KS, a parade was taking place. The parade stopped to let us pass, and the men and women on horseback removed their cowboy hats and placed them over their hearts. It was the first time that day we laughed - Grams would have loved that she stopped a parade. What those men and women did not know is my Grams was a First Lieutenant in the Army - she served during WWII as a psychiatric nurse. She lived an amazing life after that, with God at the helm.

I learned today that the parade that day by WSU was the Juneteenth Parade. That the men and women so selflessly stopped to allow our funeral procession to move past has remained in our family's hearts and minds all these years. We cannot thank you enough for your kindness. You are forever a part of our family's history.

Angie Kansas

https://juneteenth.com/

[gademocrat7]

1. Good news!

[Hortensis]

2. :) Let's! Great post and fine ideals for the future.

[sheshe2]

3. Thank you, Hortensis.

[GoCubsGo]

4. The Senate just passed a bill making Juneteenth a federal holiday today!

It still has to go through the House, but given that the Senate vote was unanimous, I can't see the House killing it. I'm sure Biden will sign it if/when it hits his desk.

[sheshe2]

7. It will be signed sealed and delivered by the House and Our President.

Thank you!

[Lisa0825]

5. From the county in which it originated, I am THRILLED

to see it get national recognition!!!

[mcar]

6. And it's about to become a national holiday!

[sheshe2]

9. Yes it is, mcar.

WE still have a way to go, yet happy day.

[rogue emissary]

8. K&R for visibility.