RippleMatch’s Post

Did you know the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture has two artifacts so large that the museum’s foundation had to be designed around their placement? Southern Railway Car No. 1200, a segregated passenger car from the Jim Crow era, and the bars and gate for the prison cell from cell no. 3 of Camp A at Angola prison in Louisiana. I became an Ambassador for the NMAAHC the moment I heard it was being conceived. I didn’t know how I’d be involved, but I wanted to put my resources where my heart was. In 2012, I signed on as an Ambassador, four years before the museum was completed and opened to the public. La Fleur Paysour, a dear friend and fellow alum from my alma mater, was the NMAAHC public affairs liaison and eventual Communications Director when she invited me for a visit. She handed me a hard hat, and we walked over to the site’s foundation being poured. We stared down into that pit to observe Southern Railway Car No. 1200 being permanently enshrined in the base of that museum’s foundation. It was a quiet moment; we didn’t say much. But we took it in, together. La Fleur would eventually travel across the globe to help tell the story of these varying artifacts, and the ways they connected to a shared history, awareness, and ultimately a reimagining of what folks thought they knew about Black history. So why am I sharing any of this? Today marks #Juneteenth, a day that commemorates the date when enslaved people of African descent in Galveston learned of their freedom in the United States. In many ways, this day serves as a reminder of the ways in which justice and convenience are at odds in this country and continue to be. In a time when headlines highlight how our country has often failed to fulfill its promises, and our approaches to ethics and accountability frequently take a backseat to profit-driven motives, let us remember that the past isn’t merely a historical textbook; it’s a living, dynamic force shaped by our present actions and choices. May we find ways to work together in service of the freedoms of others, and recognize the roles learning AND unlearning play in that possibility. And may we find ways for communities and institutions to play a greater shared role in taking those insights and amplifying them to the world.

To quote my brilliant friend Ken Miles, “…this day serves as a reminder of the ways in which justice and convenience are at odds in this country and continue to be. In a time when headlines highlight how our country has often failed to fulfill its promises, and our approaches to ethics and accountability frequently take a backseat to profit-driven motives, let us remember that the past isn’t merely a historical textbook; it’s a living, dynamic force shaped by our present actions and choices. May we find ways to work together in service of the freedoms of others, and recognize the roles learning AND unlearning play in that possibility. And may we find ways for communities and institutions to play a greater shared role in taking those insights and amplifying them to the world.” May this Juneteenth be a day or learning, unlearning, remembering and envisioning.

Many things need to be said about this very special June 19th holiday and many more need to be heard. Such important history to learn and to cherish. I am grateful for the gift of Juneteenth - grateful to Black Americans, African Americans, who have held this holiday for so long and have generously shared it with all of us as a national celebration of the single greatest moment of progress in our nation's history. I think it's ok that lots of people are not sure exactly how to incorporate Juneteenth into their traditions, their lives, their tongues; and it’s certainly understandable if Black Americans find the widening of the circle strange or suspicious. I embrace the challenge of making it my own, our own, without appropriating it from those who have given it to our nation, whose freedom it fundamentally celebrates. I believe that our role together is the full redemption of the nation we know as the United States, which has debts still to pay, wrongs still to right, ongoing crimes and slanders alive and well, and a future that is looking down the barrel of a gun right now. Lets start from awareness that the debts are real, and the legal/policy life of America after emancipation was not freedom at all. Not at all. And also let’s aim for the possibility that the complexity of defining those debts and accounting for the damage done and being done still is something we can handle. Let's be brave. Let's prove worthy. Let’s choose to rise to this special occasion. #Juneteenth

June 19th, 1865 is the day enslaved Texans learned of their emancipation… two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. It’s important to understand that the work of achieving and communicating emancipation fell largely on enslaved people themselves. And it’s important for us to acknowledge and celebrate this day because it’s how we begin grow out of leaving the work and responsibility for restoring and/or acheiving the American principles of freedom and equality to marginalized and systematically disempowered groups and individuals. It’s a good day to remember that Black History is American History, and it’s all of our work. https://lnkd.in/g6C_he8t

"The quest for liberty and justice is ongoing and that we must continue to fight for an America that truly represents its founding values and all its citizens." Robert F. Smith #InspiredByYou #OnRepeat "The signers of the Declaration of Independence were brave men. They were great men, too, great enough to give frame to a great age. It does not often happen to a nation to raise, at one time, such a number of truly great men. The point from which I am compelled to view them is not, certainly, the most favorable; and yet I cannot contemplate their great deeds with less than admiration. They were statesmen, patriots and heroes, and for the good they did, and the principles they contended for, I will UNITE with you to honor their memory..... Your high independence only reveals the immeasurable distance between us. The blessings in which you, this day, rejoice, are not enjoyed in common. The rich inheritance of justice, liberty, prosperity and independence, bequeathed by your fathers, is shared by you, not by me. The sunlight that brought light and healing to you, has brought stripes and death to me. This Fourth July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn.” - Frederick Douglass, July 5, 1852 (except from the source linked below) “If we must celebrate, let’s do so only for the promise of this country, the ideals of freedom and equality that have yet to come to fruition. 'We the people' means all of us…There is no future without We the People." Emily O. Weltman, M. Ed. https://lnkd.in/eV_FMdZd "#Leadership is all about people, inspiring people to believe that the impossible is possible developing and building people to perform at heights they never imagined... Inspiring your team to become the very best version of themselves." Leadership First https://lnkd.in/e9z7Mvcb #talent #government #mindset #behavior #futureofwork #innovation #jobs #economy #belonging #diversity #equity #inclusion #power #money #cultureofmoney

Today as we celebrate Juneteenth, let's use this day to reflect, educate ourselves, and reaffirm our commitment to building a more inclusive and equitable future. Learn more about the history of Juneteenth: https://s.si.edu/3VNeXsf

Join us in honoring Juneteenth, a pivotal moment in American history. As we reflect on this significant day, here are some key facts to deepen our understanding and appreciation: 1. Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day or Freedom Day, commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced the end of slavery. This day marked the liberation of the last enslaved African Americans in the Confederate states. 2. Juneteenth became a federal holiday in the United States on June 17, 2021, when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law. This recognition elevates the day's importance as a significant moment in American history and a time for reflection, education, and celebration of African American culture and heritage. 3. Juneteenth celebrations began in Texas but have since spread across the United States. Initially, the observance included church gatherings, community readings of the Emancipation Proclamation, and barbecues. Over time, it has evolved to include various cultural activities such as music, dance, and storytelling, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and contributions of African Americans.

News of Freedom: Celebrating Juneteenth Read all about it in this new book list curated by the National Museum of African American History & Culture. On June 19, 1865, nearly two years after President Abraham Lincoln emancipated enslaved Africans in America, Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas with news of freedom. More than 250,000 African Americans embraced freedom by executive decree in what became known as Juneteenth or Freedom Day. With the principles of self-determination, citizenship, and democracy magnifying their hopes and dreams, those Texans held fast to the promise of true liberty for all. To honor this pivotal moment in history, we encourage you to explore the reading list curated by the National Museum of African American History & Culture. This collection of books provides valuable insights into the significance of Juneteenth and the ongoing journey toward equality and justice. Check out this powerful reading list and join PAR, Inc. and InVista in commemorating Juneteenth by expanding your knowledge and understanding. #Juneteenth #FreedomDay #SelfDetermination #Citizenship #Democracy #AfricanAmericanHistory #Equality #Justice #ReadingList

What is Juneteenth? Juneteenth goes by many names. Whether you call it Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, or the country's second Independence Day, Juneteenth is one of the most important anniversaries in our nation's history. On June 19, 1865, Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger, who had fought for the Union, led a force of soldiers to Galveston, Texas, to deliver a very important message: The war was finally over, the Union had won, and it now had the manpower to enforce the end of slavery. The announcement came two months after the effective conclusion of the Civil War, and even longer since President Abraham Lincoln had first signed the Emancipation Proclamation, but many enslaved Black people in Texas still weren't free, even after that day. What Juneteenth represents First things first: Juneteenth gets its name from combining "June" and "nineteenth," the day that Granger arrived in Galveston, bearing a message of freedom for the slaves there. Upon his arrival, he read out General Order No. 3, informing the residents that slavery would no longer be tolerated and that all slaves were now free and would henceforth be treated as hired workers if they chose to remain on the plantations, according to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. This would be the first time that black Americans would be paid for their work on American soil. What’s Next Educate yourself and others around you. Many still believe that Juneteenth shouldn’t be recognized, others have no idea what Juneteenth is about. I hope that sharing a bit of the history behind my legacy and so many others like me will inspire you to want to know more.

What is Juneteenth? Juneteenth goes by many names. Whether you call it Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, or the country's second Independence Day, Juneteenth is one of the most important anniversaries in our nation's history. On June 19, 1865, Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger, who had fought for the Union, led a force of soldiers to Galveston, Texas, to deliver a very important message: The war was finally over, the Union had won, and it now had the manpower to enforce the end of slavery. The announcement came two months after the effective conclusion of the Civil War, and even longer since President Abraham Lincoln had first signed the Emancipation Proclamation, but many enslaved Black people in Texas still weren't free, even after that day. What Juneteenth represents First things first: Juneteenth gets its name from combining "June" and "nineteenth," the day that Granger arrived in Galveston, bearing a message of freedom for the slaves there. Upon his arrival, he read out General Order No. 3, informing the residents that slavery would no longer be tolerated and that all slaves were now free and would henceforth be treated as hired workers if they chose to remain on the plantations, according to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. This would be the first time that black Americans would be paid for their work on American soil. What’s Next Educate yourself and others around you. Many still believe that Juneteenth shouldn’t be recognized, others have no idea what Juneteenth is about. I hope that sharing a bit of the history behind my legacy and so many others like me will inspire you to want to know more.