Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is a holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. It is celebrated on June 19th every year and is recognized as a state holiday or special day of observance in most states. Its name is a shortened combination of the month and date — ‘June’ and ‘nineteenth’. Juneteenth. It was declared a federal holiday by President Joe Biden on June 17, 2021.

The history of Juneteenth dates back to June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that all slaves in Texas were free. This announcement was made over two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, on January 1, 1863, which declared that all slaves in Confederate states were free. As Union soldiers reached the eleven Confederate states on different dates to announce the Emancipation Proclamation --- South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina, Emancipation Day is celebrated on various dates.

Juneteenth celebrations began in Texas in 1866 and spread throughout the country as African Americans migrated to other states. The holiday is a time to celebrate freedom, reflect on the struggles of the past, and look toward a better future. It is also a time to recognize and honor the contributions of African Americans to the United States.

Juneteenth celebrations often include parades, picnics, and family gatherings. Many communities hold cultural events, such as music and dance performances, art exhibits, and historical reenactments. It is also common to have guest speakers and educational programs that focus on the history and significance of the holiday.

Juneteenth is an important holiday that celebrates the end of slavery in the United States and the triumph of freedom. To keep history factual and in proper context, it is crucial to note that after June 19, 1865, hundreds of thousands of African Americans remained enslaved in states outside of the Confederacy and in Native American territories. Chattel slavery was not legally banned in the United States until the ratification of the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution on December 6, 1865. Juneteenth reminds us of the struggles of the past and the importance of continuing to work towards a more just and equal society. By recognizing and celebrating Juneteenth, we honor the contributions of African Americans to our country and acknowledge the ongoing fight for racial justice and equality.

Memorial Day is an American federal holiday currently observed on the last Monday in May. The holiday remembers and honors military men and women who died while on duty in service to America. Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, was observed on May 30 of each year. That practice would remain from 1868, when it was first observed, until 1970.

On Memorial Day, many Americans are given the day off from work, schools and government offices are closed, stores entice customers to spend money via sales, and families enjoy cookouts.

Still, others will remember the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice via parades and ceremonies placing the American flag and flowers on the graves of the fallen heroes.

Frequently, Memorial Day acknowledgments are made “to all who served.” While it is true that we appreciate and honor everyone who has fought for our country, Memorial Day remembers and honors those who died while serving our country. Veterans Day, which is observed on November 11, honors all who served in the American military.

On this day of solemnity and remembrance, it also seems inappropriate to use the greeting, “Happy Memorial Day.” Let us honor our fallen heroes and pray for their families who are still with us.

In remembrance of Sgt. Edmond L. Randle, Jr. of Miami Gardens who became the first documented South Florida soldier to be killed by anti-US insurgents in Iraq on January 17, 2004. Randle was one of three soldiers who died that day when their vehicle was struck by a homemade explosive device near Baghdad.

Today is January 15, a glorious day in American history. It is the birthday of one of the most outstanding civil rights leaders of our time, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the anniversary of the founding of the first Greek-lettered sorority for college-educated African American women, Alpha Kappa Alpha.  

Since 1986, Dr. King’s birthday has been recognized as a federal holiday. Because of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968, it is observed on the third Monday of January. This year, the King holiday is celebrated on January 18. Due to the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, communities around the country are foregoing typical MLK festivities and opting for virtual commemorative celebrations. 

On January 15, 1908, one generation removed from slavery and just 21 years before the birth of Michael King Jr., who would later change his name to Martin, 16 African American women students at Howard University, in Washington DC, officially united to form Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, with a mission to cultivate and encourage high scholastic and ethical standards, to promote unity and friendship among college women, to study and help alleviate problems concerning girls and women to improve their social stature, to maintain a progressive interest in college life, and to be “Supreme in Service to All Mankind."

Today, Alpha Kappa Alpha has grown to a membership of 300,000 throughout the United States and abroad. While several notable women are members of Alpha Kappa Alpha, currently, its most famous member is Kamala Harris, the next vice-president of the United States. Harris was initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha while a student at Howard University.

Dr. King’s personal history is also intertwined with Alpha Kappa Alpha. While a graduate student at Boston University, he was initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha, the first collegiate Greek-letter fraternity for African American men. It was not uncommon for Alpha Phi Alpha and Alpha Kappa Alpha members to become couples, as was the case with King and his wife, Coretta, an honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha. 

So on this day, if you see a woman wearing pink and green, AKA letters, and a pearl necklace, be sure to wish her a Happy Founders’ Day. Also, be mindful that Dr. King would be 92 years-old today had he not been assassinated on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis on April 4, 1968. Let us remember these two icons of African American culture and American culture; both focused on civil rights and service to all. Happy Founders’ Day, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated! Happy Heavenly Birthday, Rev. Dr. King! 

Everyday Thanksgiving

Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the
alarm ring's each morning,
Thank you, Lord, that I can hear
There are those who are deaf.

Even though I keep my eyes closed tightly against
the morning lights, as long as possible.
Thank you, Lord, that I can see.
There are those who are blind.

Even though I huddle in ray bed and put off the physical
effort of rising,
Thank you, lord, that I have the strength to rise.
There are many who are bedfast.

Even though the first hour of my day is hectic;
When socks are lost, toast is burned, and tempers are short,
Thank you, Lord, for my family.
There are many who are lonely.

Even though our breakfast table never looks like the pictures
in the magazines, and the menu is sometimes unbalanced,
Thank you, Lord, for the food we have,
There are many who are hungry.

Even though the routine of my job is often monotonous,
Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to work,
There are many who have no work.

Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day,
and wish my modest circumstances were not quite so modest
Thank you, Lord, for the gift of life.

On so many levels, this incident seems incredibly unbelievable but let's unpack this. On the night of July 31, 2019, Saluda County, SC police arrested Georgia Southern University (GSU) quarterback, Shai Werts, for speeding and cocaine possession. As Werts's arrest was picked up and publicized by mainstream media, he was suspended from the GSU football team.

Now, the incident should be an open and shut case, but no. Werts did not deny speeding. He did insist that the white substance police saw on the hood of his car, was not cocaine as the police said it was. Werts said it was bird poop. The police said the substance tested twice for cocaine. Werts explained that he tried to clean the poop from his car. For some strange reason, the unidentified police officers saw nothing odd about a significant amount of possible cocaine residue on the hood of a car. Really? The hood of a car. Let that sink in. Who does that?

Initially, Werts did not pull over when police turned on their siren. It's a sad sign of the times. Werts was reluctant to pull over for police in a dark, isolated area. He had the where-with-all to call 911 to alert them to what was happening. Werts asked the dispatcher to notify the cops following him that he was not trying to escape, he would pull over at a lighted area. That was a smart move on his part.

While enduring the humiliation of arrest and suspension from the GSU football team, it was later determined that the substance removed from the hood of Werts's vehicle was, in fact, not cocaine. There was not confirmation that it was bird poop but it was not cocaine. 

The Saluda County Sheriff's Department should be highly embarrassed by this incident. The manufacturer of their drug field test kit should also investigate the false-positive results generated. As ridiculous as this situation appears, it is a blessing that Shai Werts was not injured or killed.

Miss me with the hype about Donald Trump’s racist Twitter attacks on four outspoken rookie congresswomen who have been given the nickname, “The Squad.” These four duly elected women: Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan are Democrats and they are not Caucasian. Surprise? Not.

Trump has been a racist for decades. From his family’s refusal to rent apartments to blacks to black employees being moved from the floor at his casino to the call for death for five wrongfully incarcerated black and Latin teens known as The Central Park Five to his birtherism attacks on President Barack Obama to his remarks about Mexicans upon declaring his candidacy for POTUS. This list goes on and on. It’s shameful and embarrassing for this nation. It’s also NOT NEWS.

Rather than being caught up with this latest distraction, Trump and his minions need to be ignored. Mainstream media needs to report real news and quit with the tabloid journalism. Please and thank you.

Avatar: Bitmoji.com 

Tonight and tomorrow night, Miami, Florida will become the center of the American political universe. The Democratic Party will host two-nights of debates with 20 of 24 of their declared candidates. The debates will take place at the Adrienne Arsht Center, in what some folks consider downtown Miami but it’s actually a few blocks north of the heart of downtown.

One thing you can be sure of is that traffic within ten blocks of the Arsht Center will likely be a nightmare. The media trucks started lining up a couple of days ago. If you are in the area, pack your patience. Consider public transportation and ride-sharing like Uber and Lyft.

Those who really want to watch the debates rather than socialize will likely pass on the watch parties and plant themselves in front of a television at home or watch on a mobile device in a relatively quiet location. Will the debates be interesting or snoozers? Only time will tell. Former Vice President Joe Biden is touted as the clear front runner of the Democratic presidential contenders so he will likely be the target of the other candidates. How hard they will hit is another question. Biden’s recent comments regarding segregationists caused a bit of verbal skirmish between he and Sen. Cory Booker but that seems to have been squashed. Most of the candidates need a breakout moment in such a crowded field. They need a good showing so they can raise more campaign funds. There’s still a long time until November 2020.

So, the first night might be dominated by top tier candidates Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth “I Have a Plan for That” Warren. The other candidates on the first night are former Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke, New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan, former Maryland Rep. John Delaney and Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard.

The Thursday night lineup is former Vice President Joe Biden, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, California Sen. Kamala Harris and South Bend, Indiana, Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet, New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, California Rep. Eric Swalwell, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, spiritual guru Marianne Williamson and businessman Andrew Yang.

Tune in to NBC, MSNBC or Telemundo at 9 PM ET, tonight and tomorrow night to watch the debates live.

Note that the panel of moderators is more diverse than usual, but blatantly lacks representation from the Party’s most loyal group of voters — Black females. That’s a problem that I won’t be quiet about. The moderators are Lester Holt, Savannah Guthrie, Rachel Maddow, Jose Diaz-Balart and Chuck Todd.

If you are a political wonk, I know you will watch both nights. Let me know what you think.

Today, March 8, is designated as International Women’s Day. It is a day of global celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity around the world.

Let’s celebrate women and girls around the world whether they are taking care of corporations, taking care of families, or taking care of themselves. 

Women make it look easy. Happy International Women’s Day!

This really happened at a McDonald’s in St. Petersburg, Florida on Monday, 12/31/18. 

The customer who recorded the incident indicated it was over a straw. However, if you watch the video, there is clearly a straw on the customer’s tray as it is knocked over during the skirmish.

Amazingly, the customer assumes the victim role. He demands a refund and that employee be fired. The manager and other employees treat him as if he is the victim. They ignore the fact that the customer initiated the physical contact. He reached over the counter and violently snatched the employee toward him. That was a huge mistake on his part because she unleashed a McAssWhoopin’ on him. Hold the fries. 

The customer then blatantly lies and says he was just asking her a question. Really? Just asking the employee a question entitles you to physically assault her in the process? That would be a NO! The employee handled him and called him a few choice names after they were separated. The manager checked the customer’s receipt rather than call the police. What a way to show support for a female employee who has been assaulted on the job. Allegedly, the customer left the restaurant and returned to fight the manager. 

The customer, Daniel Willis Taylor, has been arrested. He was also charged for kicking another female McDonald's employee in the stomach. He's identified as transient and he couldn't make bail. 

Inarguably Taylor is guilty of assault. Prayerfully, the employee has not been fired or punished in any manner. Her manager and fellow employees, especially the males, should be ashamed for not helping her. Anyhoo, this case needs to be monitored. 

This is the location and telephone number of the McDonald’s where this assault occurred. 

4595 34th St S
St. Petersburg, FL 33711
(727) 866-2370