By: Vincent L. Hall
Juneteenth has come and gone again, but the questions from MAGA and many who should understand never cease.
Why do we celebrate June 19 and July 4?
Why? Because colonization is bad, but there is nothing on the parchment of world history that rivals America’s chattel slave system.
Nothing!
While it is true that both holidays commemorate “freedom,” there is a great distinction be-tween the two.
Independence Day is the timestamp placed on America’s release from a vile and abject tyranny. Juneteenth is the date recognized as our “physical” release from a vicious and abhorrent trauma.
That difference is significant and cannot be co-mingled! We still live with the trauma of racism.
When Donny Hatha-way and Edward Howard wrote and released ‘Someday We’ll All Be Free” in 1973, they encapsulated the hopeful nature of the “Black experience.”
Since we are in the throes of a presidency and political climate that seems beyond our ability to survive, this song gives us hope. Let me break it down.
“Hang on to the world as it spins around. Just don’t let the spin get you down. Things are moving fast. Hold on tight, and you will last.”
The whole world is in disarray, and due to the speed and convergence of this information and communication age, bad news is the breaking news summons that we never get a break from.
You must hold on to your sanity. Dig deep and delve into your mental health.
“Keep your self-respect, your manly pride. Get yourself in gear and keep your stride. Never mind your fears. Brighter days will soon be here.”
Don’t let anyone im-pugn or devalue your humanity. Rather than wallowing in self-pity or succumbing to the hateful demeanor of your fellow citizens, take action in the fight for your dignity with dignity!
A former Bishop College theology teacher, Dr. John Dee Mangrum left us a profound piece of wisdom. “Courage is fear that has said its prayers!” It’s dark today, but the lights of hope and opportunity will shine again. Say your prayers!
Donny went on after a musical interlude, which reminds me. Y’all gotta write some new freedom music. Music is to Black people what the sun is to solar power!
“Keep on walking tall. Hold your head up high. Lay your dreams right up to the sky. Sing your greatest song. And you’ll keep going, going on. Take it from me; some-day, we’ll all be free!”
Don’t let the current situation bring you grief. DEI and the whitewashing of Black history is just the second verse of a saga that we have survived in the past. If you remove the buzzwords and slick ad campaigns, this period of America’s history is just a repeat of the past.
Soon after the Re-construction and bare-ly post-slavery, African Americans acquired land, ascended toward political power, and began to do well. The poor whites aligned them-selves, went to the polls, and forced their president and congress to roll back the progress of Blacks. All they didn’t take, they stole or burned down.
In 2008, Barack Hussein Obama was sworn in as president, and the great grandchildren of those same poor, grief-stricken whites amassed a campaign and created the Tea Party. It grew bigger than its sponsor, the Republican Party, and found a messenger who promised to Make America Great Again!
We have been here before, and we won.
“It won’t be long. Take it from me. Someday we’ll all be free!
A long-time Texas Metro News columnist, Dallas native Vincent L. Hall is an author, writer, award- winning writer, and a lifelong Drapetomaniac.
