Juneteenth is a commemoration of the United States ending the Black sacrifice of chattel slavery.
Black lives have long been sacrificed by America and for America. Unknowable millions of enslaved Africans and the enslaved descendants of Africans were tortured to death, murdered, executed, or died of “natural causes” on American soil while their enslavement built the United States. By comparison, fewer than 700,000 American service members have sacrificed their lives in combat.
That the sacrifice by enslaved people was involuntary makes it no less noble. However, it is ignoble that we don’t honor and venerate the totality of Black sacrifice to the American experience the same way we venerate military service on Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Veterans Day.
It is foolish to equate the experience of enslavement with the experience of military service. The two experiences are not the common thread here; the sacrifice is the common thread and honoring the sacrifice of enslaved people does not diminish anyone’s military sacrifice or heroism. The traditional days of veneration are not being replaced; military service is but one way to sacrifice for your country and we will continue to recognize that.
It is long past time for the erased, voiceless, and nameless enslaved Africans and their enslaved descendants be allowed to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with any and all Americans who shed blood or life for our country.
The Link LonkJuly 26, 2020 at 08:19AM
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Juneteenth now an official Massachusetts holiday - Universal Hub
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