My son and I attended the local Juneteenth celebration. Juneteenth (celebrated around June 19th) commemorates the day that slaves in Texas found out they were actually free. The Emancipation Proclamation was proclaimed about 2 1/2 years prior to the news getting to Texas. It's a holiday observed primarily in the southwest and western US African American communities.
For me, Juneteenth eclipses July 4th. Yes, Independence Day celebrates the birth of the United States, however my ancestors didn't have recognition as human beings at the time. It's part of that historical contradiction that underlies much of the racial challenges we face today in the US.
In the 50 years since the Brown Supreme Court decision (the initial case on desegregating schools), our country has been in much turmoil. As we become increasingly more diverse, I don't think this will soon abate.
As an African American woman who practices Buddhism, it is a daily challenge to reconcile my diverse life experiences. I am hardly part of the African American Community mainstream. I practice in a faith tradition where there is great conflict among various Nichiren sects. I live in a community where I am definitely a minority (politically progressive, person of color and educated- each of those aspects make me an outlyer where I live).
However it is because of those contradictions that I stay in my community, continue to chant and do my best to make my contribution on a daily basis. I do my best to teach my son about his heritage (both US African American and Horn of Africa) and expose him to the cultural richness of the diverse people around him.
From my childhood to my young adulthood, I was a witness and participant in the Civil Rights and Black Power movements. My parents are a living legacy of their struggles for equality and justice throughout their lives. I build on that base to expand my worldview and model myself as a world citizen.
Caught between the Baby Boomer and Hip Hop Generations...
Snapping to my own beat,
Dr. Mimi
Cool, I'm always on the hunt for stuff to celebrate, and this beats the hell out of arbor day and flag day. It's actually worth celebrating. - Brian
Posted by: Brian at June 25, 2004 10:22 AM