Juneteenth, June 19th, is one of my favorite occasions. I look forward to it every year. I keep thinking, maybe next year, Google or Yahoo! will have a special design for their logo to spotlight Juneteenth... One day...
For anyone oblivious to the occasion, it marks the most recognized end to slavery. The story goes thus:
The Emancipation Proclamation (Lincoln) was a law abolishing slavery and freeing ALL slaves in ALL of the United States. It was issued on September 22, 1862, and was supposed to be effective as of January 1, 1863. However, that news (and enforcement) didn't quite make it to the poor slaves in Galveston, Texas (and other Eastern Texan localities) until June 19, 1865. Yeah... a whole flippin' 2 and a half years after the law was active. (Those law-breaking, self-righteous, Eastern Texan slave-holders really burn me up!!!) On that day, as the story goes, Union General Granger and troops arrived in Galveston not only to enforce the emancipation of the slaves (I bet they didn't get 2.5 years of back pay... I know!!... efforts should be dedicated to getting their back pay to their ancestors!! I think there's a word for that.....) but to also take over possession of Texas. Juneteenth started being celebrated in Galveston the VERY NEXT YEAR. Strawberry pop anyone.......?
It's interesting that recently the Senate apologized for the first time to United State's African-American descendants for the atrocities of slavery. (They really need to apologize to Africa for the atrocities of the American Slave trade... what? You think pilfering millions of Africa's strongest men and women didn't adversely effect their lives for centuries?) Among the apologizers where Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa and Sen. Brownback of Kansas.
Oh well, it just a twisted ritual of America. The apology means little to me (it does little except assuage some people's guilt, and give others ammunition to rationalize deplorable points of view), but I know it means something to some people, and for that, I smile at it.
!!!!!!!!!!HAPPY JUNETEENTH 2009!!!!!!!!!
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UHURU
HOTEP!!!
PEACE
civil rights, education, goals, reflections, better future, Black people, civil rights, dreams, education, expression, family, goals, government, identity, language, progress, prosperity, slavery
It makes no sense for members of Congress to "apologize" for slavery. Who is alive today that was responsible for the atrocities of slavery? Reasonable people could debate whether living descendants of slaves are still adversely affected by the institution of slavery but it is unreasonable to consider anybody alive today even remotely responsible for slavery. Therefore, if I was a member of Congress, I would not "apologize" for slavery because it would be innappropriate and meaningless to do so.
The United States of America is just as "alive" today as she ever was. When Congress issues a resolution as a instrument of The People, they aren't speaking as or for individuals. Instead, they are speaking as the symbolic voice of our great nation whose historical actions and policies should be of great interest to anyone who is the least bit patriotic towards the United States and what it is supposed to stand for.
There are those on both sides of the racial divides in this country who undoubtedly wish to spin this resolution into something different that what it is, an official recognition of a serious wrong committed in the past by our nation. When one friend wrongs another, it is often necessary from that friend to apologize in order to repair that friendship and move forward. In the case of this resolution, the goal is to repair the image of a U.S. Government that is indifferent to its participation in the gross dehumanization the people it enslaved through its laws and policies.
TTFN,
Blackout
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Patriotic Atheism
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Symbolism: symbolic meaning or character. This apology can be seen, in a logical sense, pointless, but is far from it. When the word meaningless is thrown around it shows me that there is no understanding of what an apology is. Literally, apologies are just words, but its the MEANING, or symbol, that the apology represents. Even though every person on this planet was not alive during the time of US slavery, it does not excuse the fact that it happened, and was widely supported.
Yes, it was a long time ago.
Yes, we do not condone slavery.
And yes, no one can personally recall any events that may have occured.
But the purpose is symbolic. We are confronting the hideous truth, and reassuring a promise to move forward; searching for that more perfect union.
It MEANS nothing to any sensible person for Congress to apologize for slavery on behalf of our country. An apology for slavery has to come from somewhere different than a "We're sorry" by the scumbag fools (the majority are scumbag fools, not all) of Congress. It has to be found somewhere other than a piece of paper.
But the purpose is symbolic. We are confronting the hideous truth, and reassuring a promise to move forward; searching for that more perfect union.
Well I'm afraid I'm a little more progressive than you. The hideous truths have been confronted and good men and women fought for equality throughout history and were successful. A whole Civil War was fought over the issue. Abe Lincoln,Frederick Douglass and other Radical Republicans fought tooth and nail for full equality and refused to compromise or give in until they achieved their goals. Dr. King gave his life for the cause of equality and a better life for generations like our own. What more can we do to confront something that has exhaustively been confronted and resolved as best as it can by the governemnt? Sure racial hatred still exists in this country but its up to those individuals to change their minds the governemnt can't force them to stop hating senselessly. Equality under the law has been achieved and, for the most part, the cycle of hatred and violence has been broken. We need to confront the remaining hatred and racism beyond having a bunch of scumbags approve words on a piece of paper Real symbolic actions will show up many other places than paper. Look up the theory of Symbolic Interaction and you will see what I'm trying to say. Also, racial hatred against White people by Black people is an equal problem to hatred against Blacks by Whites. Add Hispanic, Asian, Arab, etc. and you've got a lot of different combinations of racial hatred with some being more common than others.
I disagree. A great deal of the pomp and circumstance that are a part of our form of government is largely symbolic.
Have you ever put your hand over your heart and recited the Pledge of Allegiance (a symbolic pronoucement)?
Does it make you angry when you see someone burn an American Flag (a symbolic act of dissent)?
Does it fill you with patriotic pride when you see a military unit marching in step during an Independance Day Parade (a symbolic celebration)?
Symbolic acts CERTIANLY have real meaning to normal, perfectly reasonable people. In fact, the Theory of Symbolic Interactionism actually SUPPORTS this assertion, and posits as a basic premise that "Human beings act toward things on the basis of the meanings they ascribe to those things."
We have indeed made great progress towards a State in which true equality under the law is a reality, but to suggest that we are fully there is a terribly naive perspective, and one which is easily dispelled by reviewing the demograpics associated with (for example) our prison system (which is holding a disproportionate number of black and other non-white inmates) and Corporate America (whose management teams are diproportionately white). Things are certainly better than they were when we actually made slaves of people, but they really aren't equal yet, either.
Reverse-racism is also real, but I think it is far less common and is certainly far less significant that you suggest. A disfavored minority has very little power to translate a desire to discriminate into public policy. A favored majority, however, can do this with relative ease. I think that many straight, white men feel infringed upon when they are asked give up their favored position and are really treated the same as everyone else. The statistical reality is that straight, white males have an advantage in almost every area of American life...economically, socially, in education and employment, in relation to law enforcement, etc. There are individuals who do not follow the trend, of course, but the general trend is unmistakeable.
TTFN,
Blackout
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Marriage in the Bible
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but they really aren't equal yet, either.
What does that mean. Do you really think that Black citizens are not equal to White citizens in the U.S.? Are you a racist? Everyone is equal regardless of skin color in my opinion and I'm sorry you don't share that opinion. It is the content of one's character that matters and you saying that Black people aren't equal isn't fair because you are assigning someone a lesser status because of their skin color. Okay?
Reverse-racism is also real, but I think it is far less common and is certainly far less significant that you suggest.
Really? And when did I bring up the nonsensical notion of "reverse racism" much less suggest that it is common or significant? What does "reverse discrimination" mean? It is an illogical and invalid idea that I never claimed is real. You are the only one that made that claim don't drag me into such nonsense. Do you think I am wrong? You're the English expert here so you tell me how the idea (and thus the noun) of discrimination can be reversed? Can it be forwarded too? Discrimination is discrimination and no matter the nature of it it is still plain old discrimination. Your mention of "reverse discrimination" is, as Mr. Spock would say, "highly illogical."
I don't see these words as racist; it seems like it was taken out of context. It's not the personal opinion that sees blacks as not equal. It's the impression that is expressed under the law. Just because this is America doesn't mean that our laws are just.
Do you really think that Black citizens are not equal to White citizens in the U.S.? Are you a racist?
Hardly, and your intentional misinterpretation of my statement is incredibly childish (go figure). There is plain evidence that many minority groups are not treated equally by the systems that operate within our society. It is because I am NOT racist that I find the disparity between the racial demographics in this country and the representation of those races (again for examples) in our prisons and in our corporate leadership roles so disturbing. These disparities indicate that those minotities are NOT being treated equally.
Really? And when did I bring up the nonsensical notion of "reverse racism" much less suggest that it is common or significant?
Do you even read your own comments? Ahem...
Discrimination is discrimination and no matter the nature of it it is still plain old discrimination.
I don't agree with your statement, but I think you have a funny idea about what actually counts as "discrimination." Not liking someone because of the way you percieve their race is prejudice, not discrimination. In order for something to be discriminatory, that prejudice must actually be put into action in some way that actually imposes an unfair disadvantage on the subject of the prejudice. Actually instances of sytstemic discrimination against straight, white males are virtually non-existent in this country.
I also can't help but notice that you avoided answering the three questions that I posed to you (no doubt because if you answered honestly, your unreasonable dismissal of the relevance of symbolic action would become apparent to our readers). So, I will ask you again...
Have you ever put your hand over your heart and recited the Pledge of Allegiance (a symbolic pronoucement)?
Does it make you angry when you see someone burn an American Flag (a symbolic act of dissent)?
Does it fill you with patriotic pride when you see a military unit marching in step during an Independance Day Parade (a symbolic celebration)?
TTFN,
Blackout
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Marriage in the Bible
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Check out Progressive PRIDE, a Gay-Straight Alliance for the Progressive U community.
Just a piece of paper isn't going to make up for what happened, there are scumbags in the government, and those who fought for civil liberties sacrificed a great deal to bring their visions to life, but it shows that the government was responsible for allowing slavery. And it makes sense for the government to recognize that it was responsible; I don't see this as the government apologizing for the people owning slaves. This apologetic document can be used to prevent any kind of future horrors that the government might commit.
I also agree that it's not the government's job to fight and control discrimination, regardless of form. Yes, it is a horrible mindset, but it is a part of a person's freedom of expression.
I don't agree that true equality under the law has been achieved, but we're getting there.
It infuriates me that slavery is minimized by society today. So much ignorant prevails. It wasn't that long ago. And when it IS "that long ago" so the fuck what. The memory of slavery is still felt and will always be felt. And if a day comes where it is not "felt", then that is the sad sad sad day that assimilation has taken over the hearts of all, and significance of heritage will have died.
I have loved ones with vivid memories of their loved ones telling them of stories of growing up the child of slaves. That is significant. A significance that will transcend time.
It should always shape the way we see this country and the social interactions within it. Everyone in the country benefits from slavery. Its in more than just the architecture and agriculture as well. Each and every class system has been effected thus. Some continue to benefit, financially, esthetically, and in reputation. When and if all those differences become expunged, even then the slave trade will be of importance and a cause for remembrance.
If anyone thinks or hopes that the memory of slavery will one day disappear, they are very wrong.
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Peace & Blessings
It does make more sense to me to say, "sorry slavery happened" rather than, "sorry for slavery." I think the difference is nuanced but important. To apologize for something is to take responsibility for it. It doesn't make much sense for individuals or governments today to apologize for something that happened before their grandparents were born, but it does make sense, and I think helps in some way, to say "sorry it happened," since it signifies not the apologizers' responsibility for slavery, but their regret that it ever happened.
They are not individuals, they are Congress. the people who make it up are different but the entity is the same.
Slavery is such a huge part of this country's values and the way it's economic and social structure is arranged. Until we really recognize that and face it we will always have these problems.
This is an excellent blog. We really need to learn from our history and our current situation instead of constantly trying to run from it, sweep it under the rug, and down play it's signifigance.
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