Juneteenth

And just like that… Juneteenth is the next “victim” to the commericialization of holidays/events.

I am fortunate to have grown up in a home that recognized and celebrated Juneteenth. So when I say, “I am not new to this”… trust and believe it. My father started the annual recognition at a major municipal district back in the 70s. I remember the “pressure” I felt as a child learning the words to Lift Every Voice and Sing. My parents would say, if you can sing (and know) the words to that Michael Jackson song, you can sing (and know) the words to this song. The same was said about the Lord’s Prayer. When you grow up honoring and respecting the past, you know how wrong it is for major companies (with no real genuine plans to give back to the black community) to capitalize on Juneteenth.

For weeks now, I have seen the posts on social media. From the Dollar Tree’s (now, buck 1-25 store) disrespectful display of party supplies, to Wal Mart’s ice cream and their newly added party supplies- it just needs to stop. If you know anything about Juneteenth you know the flag (the colors) are not yellow, black, red and green. Google it. Once you do that, you should know better and do better which should mean you would recognize Texas in your display and not Africa. The ensalved were not in Africa, they were in Texas! Do your research. Ah yes, maybe it will take years to figure out those little details too.

I urge you, to do two things: 1) do your research and know what you are celebrating and why, and 2) if you want to spend your money and celebrate Juneteenth, do so in the the black community. Find a festival, spend your dollars there. Do not, I repeat do not give your money to major corporations that have no history or interest of sowing seeds in the black community. And I don’t mean that fake sh*&@ they did in 2020.