Juneteenth
 

What is Juneteenth about?

June·teenth
/ˌjo͞onˈtēnTH/
Learn to pronounce
noun
a festival held annually on the nineteenth of June by African Americans (especially in the southern states), to commemorate emancipation from slavery in Texas on that day in 1865.

Never heard of Juneteenth until this latest uprising of BLM.

This is not surprising. I learned a couple of years ago that it's a really -bad- racist thing to touch a black man's face, if you're a white person and the black man didn't give you permission in advance. I had no idea at all, and I had to apologize for the insult. I was happy to see my co-worker return from the army. Hugs = okay. Handshakes = fine and dandy. Reaching to cup a hand on the man's cheek as an expression of affection = taboo.** (edit: by cup a hand on the man's cheek" I mean in the same way you'd do it with your grandson when he comes to visit. "Oh look at you, Junior, you've grown into such a handsome young man!" That kind of thing.)

I did know about Juneteenth, since New Haven has socially progressive renaissance periods every dozen years or so, so these types of festivals are publicized as events in the newspaper. But there are lots of things that I don't know about, or know but don't understand, or know and understand but cannot experience for myself. I embrace the differences, since that's really all I -can- do.

Ewwww! Really? I wouldn't want anyone "cupping my face" as an adult or even a teenager. Maybe for little kids or grandkids it's acceptable. Not sure why that would be a surprise. I find that to be a bit much especially if the "cupper" was a stranger or a business associate or a friend. My grandmother used to do that and even that was weird. LOL, Female->Male cupping (of face that is ;) ) would be a reverse "me-too". Male->female would likely get a slap and maybe even get one fired if it was at work especially these days. :1rotfl:

As for the OP original question, my wife new what it is but I didn't.

Since I grew up in New Mexico which at the time had few blacks living there (I had only known two) I had never heard of it. While in the army in South Carolina in 1965 and the only white guy in the barracks during June I heard about it. It seemed it was like the 4th of July to the black guys. I certainly can understand why!

great post
 

I believe this is what all racists should do
perhaps get a few black friends
invite a coworker of color over
you would be surprised that we are all just people
Italians
Irish
German
Jewish
African (which isn't accurate because that technically is a continent) WE all have to evolve or become extinct.


:bigbow::bigbow:

Glad you asked the question. Although it can easily be Google’d, asking the question in a public forum raises awareness. The tragedy behind Juneteenth was never taught in history classes. Perhaps now it will be and really, must be. As a person in 3 classes that have been victims of discrimination, the process of reform has to begin within everyone. Look in the mirror and ask yourself if maybe, just maybe you have something to learn.

Technically I think that Europeans, Africans, and Asians are the three basic groups.

Another holiday. Thanks

Cupping someones face, yuch

When slaves were freed.

How is this Juneteenth possible? These latest protest have taught us that the Civil war history did not occur and everything we celebrate from the Civil War is racist and insensitive. So since this day of celebration is a result of the Civil War, it must cease immediately before it causes irreparable harm to people and results in violent rioting, looting, and vandalism.

As you seem to have the answer for white people what should black racists do? What about Asians? you did not mention them. American Indians?

It appears that is all any of us can do. It is tricky to do the "right thing" and say the "right thing". No one in this world wants to think that they have failed at simple kindness but it is happening to me almost every night when I watch the news. I don't like feeling like that. I can't remember ever having any negative interaction with someone of another race in my 80 years. The most negative interactions I have had with others have been on this forum. My husband says that is because no rules exist when people are anonymous and do not have to stand for their thoughts. I have not really known well many people of other races, and it isn't on purpose. I have learned that you can do your best and some people find you quite nice and others not so much. sigh.

Ever heard of Google?

If I had never heard of this, what would I google?

Google is there a holiday that does not apply to me that recognizes people effected by the civil war that did not exist because it is offensive?

Just wondering why ask this question here versus researching it? No offense but it seems odd.

Paula

Look up Greenwood. Tulsa Oklahoma. Or watch 60 minutes from this past Sunday the 14th.

Sadly, I don't find it "odd"...in the least. :ohdear:

Excellent suggestions...very eye-opening. :thumbup:

June 19
 

There are so many things that i have never heard of. I can barley keep up...try google

Do the best you can.
 

There are any number of things that are acceptable in some cultures but are considered very bad or offensive in others. Simply shaking hands is unacceptable in some cultures, while it is (generally) o.k. and common here. In New Zealand, for example, a formal Maori greeting would be terrifying to most of us.
Someone has a tag line that says something about "good people doing nothing" being bad. But, there are times when doing nothing is very much the best thing to do. Even those who have done a lot of traveling don't know all the ways to behave in different cultural situations. When confronted with something culturally unfamiliar, try to learn and understand. That is the best you can do.

Most people stay anonymous, because after some folks find others real life identities...it's been used against them or they're betrayed in some way.

As for me personally, and only speaking for myself, I couldn't care less and don't become obsessed...with knowing people's real life identities. :shrug:


.

Rosewood in 1923.
 

Rosewood Massacre - HISTORY

Rosewood, Florida - Wikipedia

Rosewood massacre - Wikipedia

There was one of these massacres of African-Americans not too far from what would become the Villages. This was in 1923 in Rosewood.

Why would you celebrate anything from the Civil War except the Union victory against the leaders and troops who were traitors to the USA? It is long past time for all reprentations of confederate leaders to be anywhere but in museums.

:agree:


One has to really wonder, about the intent (and mental acuity) of those who want to celebrate...losers and traitors. :oops:

The Confederate flag is a painful reminder of hate, bigotry, treason, and devaluation of humanity

18th century British sailors sang a little ditty about New Zealand: First they cheat you; then they eat you.

I have a couple of photos of myself standing with a couple of Maori men in warrior dress. I am not small at 6'2", 220. These guys were a bit shorter but twice as wide, very heavily boned, large broad shoulders; even their feet were huge. My guess is over the time they were on those islands only the strongest survived. They were cannibals.

Great post. There’s a big difference between ignorance and racism though. Lots of people who are assumed to be racist a really just ignorant. We don’t know what we don’t know...Everything we don’t know AND are too afraid to ask.

Why isn’t JuneTeenth an American holiday? I’d love to celebrate the end to slavery but I must admit this is the first time I ever even hear that word. Odd, because I’ve always loved visiting museums and reading, especially about Lincoln. I don’t know how I missed it!?!

Yeah. Little kids wouldn’t like that either. Who would?

Yes...but...wouldn’t it be better if one could admit what they didn’t know without being labeled as a racist?

By the way, did you know not to make the hand gesture for o.k. 👌 because some think that is offensive too.

IMO it’s too easy to always claim offense about things now. It’s a lot like crying wolf.

(Sorry meant to reply to Gracie)

The Rosewood Wikipedia article might provide some insights about why some people prefer to maintain anonymity.
Targeting others—sometimes for only a perceived difference—has been a scary, widespread & longstanding practice which has not been exclusively racially motivated.

One can never know who might read Internet message board posts & what they might do if they had the chance. Sad but true.

Thanks for posting about Rosewood. I’m glad it has been recorded albeit delayed. The Code of Silence is a real phenomenon which effectively protected folks back then but also has sadly denied posterity from learning & knowledge. Their need for restoring safety and security made silence an absolute necessity if they wanted to have any future. Their lives depended on never talking about any of it again.

We need to know a lot more about our complete American and human history if we are going to ever more fully understand each other.

One fact that stood out to me was the date of the Massacre—1923. That was fully 58 years AFTER the end of slavery/Civil war.

True!
 

True. Crying wolf is a one way to put it. Admitting you didn't know usually happens after the supposed offense. By then the offended have, without any thought of the offenders real intent, have already leaped to the conclusion that it was intentional and the unnecessary battle is on.
Sadly, too many people, and I'm often as guilty as the next person, spend their time and energy preparing their next rebuttal and never take the time to listen or even try to understand the other point of view. They make the assumption the other side is automatically completely invalid. Emotions over heat (helped by the rabble rousers on the sidelines enjoying the spectacle), any real chance for real, lasting advancement is thrown under the bus and we end up back at square one with only hurt feelings on both sides to show for the energy spent arguing.
Somebody, please cue up the song " Why can't we be friends, why can't we be friends ..."

But still advises...

Ummm...National Geographic has a very thoughtful piece about the label “American Indians.”

https://www.api.nationalgeographic.c...-appropriation

The Native nations had/have little in common yet we use one term as if all were/are exactly the same.

My first understanding of contagious disease came from reading about the rampant spread of European illnesses through Native populations. Natives had no previous exposure to those illnesses so they had no existing immunity. Sound familiar?

This is very hateful especially to be a response to a cautionary post about mean people on the Internet but thanks for proving my point.