For those of us who recognize/celebrate Juneteenth, Happy Juneteenth! and please K&R

[wndycty]

I remember the first time I heard of it, I didn't know how to react now I make sure to take a little time every Juneteenth to reflect on its meaning.

[wndycty]

1. Shameless Juneteenth kick

:kick:

[Number23]

21. Here's another shameless kick!

Happy Juneteenth, wndy. :)

[Voice for Peace]

2. Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery.

I had to look it up.

http://www.juneteenth.com/history.htm

[Solly Mack]

3. K&R

[kestrel91316]

4. Happy Juneteenth!!!

[marmar]

5. Happy Juneteenth......

[jotsy]

6. Every summer here in Portland at Irving Park,

An organization called Kids n Tennis host the Juneteenth Classic, a tennis tournament for community and competitive players as a fundraiser for a free summer program to teach kids who might not otherwise afford the opportunity to learn the sport. Program hasn't always been free but in its 3rd decade is now run on grants and community support thanks to the dedication of its director, coach Don Johnson.

:toast:

[me b zola]

7. Happy Juneteenth! K&R

:party:

[AnArmyVeteran]

8. I knew about it since I was a kid and how Texas finally succumbed to the law.

It seems as if Texas hasn't progressed very far since those days. For many years the state did turn blue, but now it's bright red again and taken over by Bubbas. Oh yeah, under Governor Bush Texas ranked #1 in high school dropouts. Bush promised to eliminate the top down Texas Education Agency, but instead he gave it more funds, staffed it with his cronies and then forced a standardized test on all students. As a result, teachers were forced to teach the answers to the test, instead of teaching children how to learn.

Texas also became number one in the nation in air, water and soil pollution under Bush because Bush gave out 830 exemptions to the worst polluters in the state. Of course those 830 companies repaid him with huge contributions so he could win reelection and then put him in a place to steal the 2000 election. Tens of thousands of Texans with diminished respiratory ailments became sicker or died as a result of Bush's selling out to corrupt, polluting corporations.

And of course, Texas also became number one in the nation in executions under Bush. GW even openly laughed at one inmate who was pleading for her life. In 2000, Bush said "I trust the people, not the government", but even though a lot of death row prisoners weren't given adequate representation they were found guilty by the government and killed. Bush obviously trusted the government to execute people, even if they were innocent. Bush's successor Rick Perry was guilty of not sparing an inmate's life even though he was innocent of the crime for which he allegedly committed.

And these thugs call themselves 'Christians'. It's nauseating. And if they were around in Texas 150 years ago they would have fought Lincoln and the law freeing the slaves.

[Jack Rabbit]

9. K/R

To the day when federal troops entered Texas and put a stop to the conspiracy of slave owners to perpetuate the "peculiar institution" by not informing former slaves that the were by law what they had always been by nature, free men and women.

[Starry Messenger]

10. k & r

[HipChick]

11. It's always celebrated on my birthday...

:hi: Happy J'Day and B'Day to me

[Lisa0825]

16. Happy Birthday/Juneteenth to you!:-)

:party:

[crikkett]

12. K&R

!!
:party:

[one_voice]

13. K&R

:kick:

[Manifestor_of_Light]

14. Kick for Texas!!!

I think we're all still waiting for our forty acres and a mule!!

:D

[girl gone mad]

15. k & r

[Overseas]

17. K&R! I went to our Juneteenth festival.

It continues tomorrow and I'll go again to see more music.

[Odin2005]

18. K&R!

[Loudmxr]

19. Yes I love Juneteenth for more than one reason!!!!

The Emancipation Proclamation did not apply to Kentucky. My friend Borden Olive, retired of the LAHRC, said "My mother always reminded me that Lincoln did not set us free. The blacks in Kentucky had to fight for our freedom."

He told me that at a party the BurbankHRC threw that fortunately fell on Juneteenth. I asked him to give one of the introductory speeches and sure enough he mentioned what his mother had said. I love Borden.

I also made a connection that night with the patriots of Kentucky who fought for their freedom. I reflect how, in my genes, I understand the desire of a people to be free. My family, like many of yours, fled their country to come here. In our civil war we, as a nation, made sure that no human being could ever own another.

That is the shared American value that we all possess. We are an abolitionist people; now and forever we shall remain.

[csziggy]

20. K&R