Recognize, Repent, Repair
A Juneteenth Message
I wrote, and shared, the following on Juneteenth 2020. Much of the progress I mentioned seems like it is eroding now, but the message still holds. I hope I live up to the challenges we all are facing. Peace to all of you.
Recognize, Repent, Repair. The order of those words cannot be changed. Although we are better than we were, we still have trouble recognizing the long history of unequal treatment of black America. With abolition came an immediate defiance from southern states, and a blind eye from Abraham Lincoln's successor to what would be a continuing 150 years of black Americans' fight for equality. Not only did southern states defy emancipation, but spit in its face, glorifying their landscapes with 'permanent' markers to preserve their 'heritage'. That heritage was, truthfully, participation in the largest act of treason against the United States. With abolition came reconstruction, and with reconstruction came 'black codes' with Jim Crow laws and continual disparities between black and white america. Lynching, voter discrimination, financial discrimination, social and educational discrimination, MASS INCARCERATION. Domestic terrorism saw black children killed in Birmingham. The assassinations of black leaders took place as J. Edgar Hoover wedged further disunity by classing peaceful protesters as 'enemies.' All of these continued through two World Wars, and a morbid festoon of endless conflicts in every decade since WWII. Thousands of racial lynchings happened across decades. A militarized and inappropriately trained police force continually has issues with addressing racial inequality and we see that pot blowing its lid.
Until it is addressed, repented from and repaired appropriately, the unrest will continue. I am no historian, I am not an 'educator'. I am a student of life, and continually learning. The more I learn, the more I recognize. The more I recognize, the more I repent. In that repentance, I can begin to see a path to repair. It hurts me to see some who are actually teachers claim things like 'you can't erase history.' That tone deaf statement defies repentance and repair just like black codes defied emancipation. I can't answer for every person, but I can answer for me.
To my black friends: I love you. Every one of you. I see your faces, as I write this, from Nashville to California, Alabama to Maine. I remember working with you, enjoy working with you now, and recall good times and anticipate more. With many of you, we have been through some rough times. Secondly, forgive me for times I have taken you for granted or not listened to you. Forgive me for ever saying anything that did anything less than tear down the walls of division that keep everyone from becoming all we can be.
Finally, I am here, I am available. I will use my days to help scream these messages to the hills and fight for equal justice and rights. Today is your day to celebrate. I wish you peace and prosperity. The change we are seeing happen is long overdue and in my heart of hearts I believe we are seeing monumental shift. There are trials, and perhaps even wars, to come; but I know I am on the right side of history. Peace.
A great place to begin recognizing our history is the Equal Justice Initiative. Visit them at EJI.ORG
For a wonderful, quick read on the history of Juneteenth, by #1 NYT bestselling author of The Small and the Mighty, Sharon McMahon: "It's OK Not To Know Things"
