While the newly created federal holiday had its official recognition yesterday because the holiday fell on a Saturday, today is the actual day that has been used to commemorate the end of slavery for many people, starting in Texas, since 1866. While I feel that the name is a bit strange, I certainly believe that it is a holiday worth having, and I can't help but wonder why it took over 150 years to create a national holiday for the end of de jure slavery in America.
Although the creation of the national holiday of Juneteenth is deserved, it is alone not enough to redress the issues of racism and racial disparity in our society. I have been frustrated with the amount of racist posts that I have seen from people in this past week. Certainly, they aren't as blatantly racist as some things that I have heard in the past, but they are the kind of wink-and-a-nod racism that some people seem to think is socially defensible.
The worst are those who are attempting a sort of double-speak by saying that movements like the BLM are creating racial hatred and animosity that did not exist before. Somehow, these brainwashed sheep have taken the phrase "children are not born racist" and twisted it to mean that teaching children about racism is what causes racism. The logical fallacy in such an idea should be obvious, but these are the same people that have come to believe every lie that is thrown at them.
Still, I believe that we are making positive progress. In this, my cynical optimism shows itself again. I truly believe that the world is becoming a better and better place, even if there are people foolishly trying to stop it from doing so.
Although the creation of the national holiday of Juneteenth is deserved, it is alone not enough to redress the issues of racism and racial disparity in our society. I have been frustrated with the amount of racist posts that I have seen from people in this past week. Certainly, they aren't as blatantly racist as some things that I have heard in the past, but they are the kind of wink-and-a-nod racism that some people seem to think is socially defensible.
The worst are those who are attempting a sort of double-speak by saying that movements like the BLM are creating racial hatred and animosity that did not exist before. Somehow, these brainwashed sheep have taken the phrase "children are not born racist" and twisted it to mean that teaching children about racism is what causes racism. The logical fallacy in such an idea should be obvious, but these are the same people that have come to believe every lie that is thrown at them.
Still, I believe that we are making positive progress. In this, my cynical optimism shows itself again. I truly believe that the world is becoming a better and better place, even if there are people foolishly trying to stop it from doing so.
RSS Feed
