Juneteenth as a National Holiday: Going Beyond Symbolic Gestures

Everywhere we look, we see political figures, municipalities, corporations, non-profit organizations and then some, extending the proverbial olive leaf to the African-American community. It’s clear this is being done in an effort to signify support, connect with, and/or validate the black experience as it relates to the systemic racism that pervades every aspect of our lives as African-American citizens. However there is a general uneasiness that lingers in the African-American community directly associated with these symbolic measures. The voices speak from past trauma and the burden of that doubt does not rest solely on our shoulders. That doubt is well-earned. To put it plainly:

WE DON’T BELIEVE YOU.

And the reason being? Well. We protest to demand justice, fairness and equality; in turn we get our Juneteenth made into a national paid holiday; 25% discount sales; bold black backgrounds with white writing on digital commercial websites declaring support for the struggles of Black people; kente-cloth-draped politicians taking a knee; red, black & green added to advertisements; and Black Music playlists popping up everywhere, (I guess we should feel honored because it’s not even Black History Month, amirite??)— stop.

Deep down, in our heart of hearts, for every descendant of the enslaved, the cry is loud and clear— we ask “What about justice? What about the murders & brutality? What about the enforcers of the murders & brutality? How will we stop them from murdering and brutalizing us, again?” It goes beyond these very traumatic experiences, and these experiences, in truth, are the usual suspects and the impetus for our writings, rallies, protests and riots (pick your poison). It goes beyond this. It seeps into our daily existence. It hides inside of the everyday minutiae that ultimately changes our lives, potentially for the worse.

Usually, for the worse.

It goes beyond the rage plastered on televisions and smartphones, hidden in enflamed businesses. Beyond? Beyond meaning: what about the culture of injustice and inequality in our workplaces? Or when trying to apply for a car loan or a bank loan. Or inside of our classrooms, where many of our black children are met with indifference, and may not have a teacher that looks like them, in their entire educational lives. Beyond, includes the disparity in inpatient numbers at drug treatment facilities (far more whites in rehab facilities than blacks). Beyond certainly represents the prison disparity, and how blacks account for 37% of the US prison population, and yet we are only 14% of the entire American population. These injustices. These inequalities. These realities remain— despite every symbolic gesture, which may or may not be simply due to the desire to keep the African-American community as customers,

or to secure the vote in the up and coming elections, or simply to let the digital records show, that they stood on the right side of history, it appears. It’s easy to see why black people are distrustful, considering the historical proof that advises us to be cautious and to measure everything twice, before we cut once, and as my mother always said, history still is repeating, loud and clear: Do not drink the kool-aid dressed up as white solidarity.

At the same time.

In the same space.

I acknowledge that small progress is still progress. I will not throw the symbol ridden babies out with the insufficient and suspect-laden proverbial bath water. I can say, “Good, remove the image of Aunty from the Aunt Jemima pancake box.” “Great, rename it altogether” I can accept the completely overdue apologies by the various NFL leadership, knowing well and good, that they absolutely need to do more. I choose to see the small good for what it is. A sign. A sign that things are headed in the right direction. But just a sign. One can only hope that on our way to the promise land where we can find the destruction of the myth of white supremacy, that this progress will continue. We can only hope that, the system which enforces favoritism for the lighter colored human beings we’ve come to call “white privilege” will continue to be broken down and a new more human and spiritually evolved system will be enacted in its place. Yes, see the signs: but don’t forget the lessons. History has taught it’s children well. Times change most, when necessity insists upon it. And African Americans are proving to be, the mothers of this current invention.

6.19.20