#HappyJuneteenth
Happy Juneteenth. A day marked by 155 years of freedom for Black people in America. Realized and unrealized.
It’s been around for all of our natural lives. Some have celebrated it. Some haven’t. Some know what it is and some don’t, but we can all agree that in 2020 it’s finally getting its just do. This year it’s taken on a whole new meaning.
It’s no secret that the last three weeks have been, HELL! I mean our world, a Black person’s world is being redesigned and rediscovered. Some people are finally seeing the weight of their transgressions and judgements against a race of people. Who woulda thunk that in 2020, white people would see us and our plight? I guess it only took kneeling on someone’s neck for over eight minutes and them dying; or Black people protesting, rioting and burning down Gucci stores begging for justice, change and reform to finally be heard and SEEN! Brands and people are starting to capitalize on #BlackLivesMatter messaging and donations to the Black community to stand in solidarity. People’s coworkers, friends and allies are crying white tears and trying to figure out how they can be better allies. No matter how you feel about it. It’s starting an overdue and much needed conversation.
If I have to think of one word to describe how I feel it would be tired. When I say tired, I mean it in every sense of the word. Tired of seeing lifeless Black bodies on my timeline normalized. Tired of the confusion and division in our country. Tired of begging to be valued. Tired of falling victim to someone else’s privilege and proximity to access and opportunity.
This time of unrest has really made me think about the one thing that has motivated me my whole life. And it’s been my BLACKNESS.
I was born in Miami and raised by two people from the inner city.
I’m the descendant and great-granddaughter of the first Bahamian settlers in a formerly all-Black area in Miami known as Coconut Grove.
I’m the descendant and great-granddaughter of Black Cherokee Indians from Gafney, SC.
I’m a third generation graduate of one of the top Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in the nation, Florida A&M University.
I’m a member of the first Black sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
My whole life has been deeply rooted in how Black I am and how Black I can be. It’s been engrained in me to do everything in excellence. To be 5x smarter and work 10x harder. To persevere and be strong. Taught to never let anyone see my weaknesses. My Blackness has always been and will always be my greatest badge of honor. It’s scary to think that the very thing I take pride in; will always be my biggest burden to some people in the world. I’ve realized more than ever that no matter how many accolades I collect or how much I do -- some people will never see ME. They won’t revel in my success or will make it that much harder for me; solely based on the color of my skin. And that doesn’t sit well with me.
There’s something about the death of George Floyd that’s different and it’s shaken me to my core. There’s a level of desensitization you get when you continuously see lifeless Black bodies on the ground and unarmed Black men and women being killed like Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor, while their killers have no consequence.
Today’s climate leaves me with this eerie feeling. Every single social construct we’ve ever known is literally being torn down. The very bias’s and themes that have existed in this country for over 401 years. I guess the beauty in that is, while nothing will ever be the same, we can pray that it will get better.
Now while I sit here on Juneteenth, my mind is boggled. The first time I’d ever heard of it was in college at FAMU in our required African-American studies class. I learned about its origins and what it is to be free and Black. Yet, sadly this is the first time in my entire life I am intentionally celebrating it.
The resurgence and re-appreciation of this holiday is symbolic. It’s the beginning of something special and new. One that we’ll always cherish and appreciate. It’s like the strength we didn’t know we needed, until we needed it. It’s always been there. Now it’s time for us to do right by it, by enjoying the freedom that our ancestors so fearlessly and courageously fought for.
Listen a new episode of One Mo Minute: #HappyJuneteenth below: