...Juneteenth is only a week away. This holiday is noteworthy in a couple of non-obvious ways:
- Nobody's renamed it. Well over a hundred years old and the lily-livered teacup-and-lace-curtain set who turned Decoration Day into Memorial Day, flipped Armistice Day to Veterans Day, watered Independence Day down to a mere "4th of July," smashed Washington and Lincoln's birthdays into "President's Day" and are going after Columbus Day have somehow managed to not tinker. Perhaps they find the joyous anarchy of the word off-putting (in which case, well done, emancipated Texans!).
- It also hasn't been slid to one end or the other of the week. It's stubbornly fixed on 19th June, year after year.
There's a lot to be said for that.
Update: So, I've been asked how one should celebrate. Well, gee. Traditionally, there's a parade, but you could hire someone who's never worked for wages to do a job they already know how to do. If the laws where you live will let you -- plenty of kids need their first lawnmowing job, y'know. Now imagine that kid is, oh, 45. Sort of give you some notion of the spirit of the day.
I was fortunate enough to actually get to know two fine gentlemen who were freed with Lincoln's proclamation order. Both were in their ninety's and both were sharp as an icepick.
ReplyDeleteThe stories they told of being emancipated one day, and going back to work for day wages the next were fascinating. And would be hotly denied by many moderns, who absolutely know how things went down.
Stranger
So, what are your recommendations on how to celebrate this holiday?
ReplyDeleteJuneteenth has not, and will never be, renamed because some rioting mob somewhere would raise an objection, some traditions being held by some to be sacred.
ReplyDeleteHey, at least it wasn't created out of Thin Air back in the 60's like Kwanzaa, or Festivus( For the Rest of Us!) off a Seinfeld Episode.
ReplyDeleteDarn right! It's as authentic a holiday as you can get.
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