Speaking Up
When is it time
I have been observing my line from the point of view of reading a great novel. There are chapters in which there is fun, frivolity, family unification and lots of laughter. There are other chapters that are in a different universe in which the way of life, the way of society and all the strides that it has made over the last 250 years are in jeopardy.
There are people being attacked for just who they are. There are other people that are being held up as better than others. The work for equality and equity seem to have been thrown out the window and all the loopholes and unfinished edges of the few living documents on the planet are being exposed in such a way that the document is in danger of dying.
We just celebrated a wedding for my second born. On a beach, in another state, and we were afforded the opportunity to visit, and site see and play in the sun.
I returned home to the news and all that entails.
I like to think myself thorough, even in this age of social media, to double check information and to be sure I understand what is happening. That means doing some extra research when seeing a social media post that claims it is a firsthand account. That means often thinking and contemplating before developing any kind of response or action of my own.
This weekend is NO KINGS Day — It has been scheduled as NO KINGS DAY since the military parade was announced in Washington DC.
For my part I will be at a table supporting the Juneteenth Celebration at Perry Square in Erie, PA. I decided that a long time ago as well. There are some demonstrations happening around — and many of those people have decided to come and support Juneteenth after demonstrating.
There is a part of the novel I am watching about my life at the moment where the need for fun and companionship is not separate from the need to make sure those spaces, and those people continue to have the opportunity and the space to enjoy and celebrate as well as remember that we are continually striving for more.
In showing up for Juneteenth we challenge the forces of erasure and repression, proving that the light of Black history and experience will never be dimmed. The history of Black Americans is intertwined with mine.
Juneteenth, celebrated annually on June 19th, marks a pivotal moment in Americal History - the day in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were informed of their freedom, over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. It stands as a testament to resilience, liberation, and the ongoing struggle for equity and justice. It honors the perseverance, contributions, and histories of Black Culture, achievements, and the ongoing pursuit of equity.
Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021.
It is an opportunity to celebrate voices often marginalized and histories frequently erased - reminding all Americans that the struggles and triumphs of Black communities are integral to the story of this nation.
Together we celebrate the past, confront the present, and aspire for a brighter, more inclusive future.
I started this line of thought on when it is time to speak up. Unless I want my life book to become void of Juneteenth and Pride celebration opportunities. Unless I want my life book to be devoid of family trips to state and national parks and historical sites. Unless I want my grandbaby to grow up with less opportunities than what is available today, or to have my son’s only option for college to be out of this country so he can intermingle with diverse cultures. Unless I want my mother’s medical and financial future to be in jeopardy. It is past time. When is your time?
