Happy Juneteenth!!
What is the history behind Juneteenth?
“Freedom finally came on June 19, 1865, when some 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas. The army announced that the more than 250,000 enslaved black people in the state, were free by executive decree. This day came to be known as “Juneteenth,” by the newly freed people in Texas.” – credit, Smithsonian
My husband and my son both have off from work today because Juneteenth finally became a federal holiday just last year. Sometimes it takes a long, long time to do the right thing. But it’s never too late. Shame can only start to be healed by first accepting, admitting, and taking responsibility for wrongs committed.
I like this line from the Smithsonian’s historical explanation of Juneteenth:
“The historical legacy of Juneteenth shows the value of never giving up hope in uncertain times.” – Smithsonian
Sometimes the only thing that gives us the will to go on with strength and resilience is the beautiful, uplifting, beacon-like feeling of hope.
“There’s no other race, to me, that has such a tough history for hundreds and hundreds of years, and only the strong survive, so we were the strongest and the most mentally tough, and I’m really proud to wear this color every single day of my life.”—Serena Williams
Are you passing on love or are you passing on pain? Heal your pain and pass on love.