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.

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 

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!

Three years ago today, Sandra Bland died while in police custody in Waller County, Texas. She had been arrested three days earlier for not using her turn signal. Never forget her. Don’t stop fighting for social justice. #SayHerName 

Stoking the flames of racial hatred and fear. Donald Trump continues to distract and divide Americans while pandering to his base of white voters by verbally attacking well-known blacks. President Barack Obama, Jemele Hill, Colin Kaepernick, Marshawn Lynch, Steph Curry, Congresswoman Frederica Wilson and Merck VP Kenneth Frazier. Still no clapback when Eminem skewered him in a vicious rap or when Tom Brady didn’t visit the White House with his teammates. It is what it is and Trump is who he is.

Trump’s latest black target, LaVar Ball. Why? Because Ball won’t bow down and kiss the ring (and posterior) of The Donald. Trump claims responsibility for the release of Ball’s son and two other college basketball players caught shoplifting in China. Ball claims to have folks on the ground in China that worked on the release of the players.

Instead of Trump showing class, he again showed himself to be crass. Really? Behind lack of what he perceived as proper deference to the president? Wow, that’s pathetic.

Donald is going to “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN” by putting Negroes in their place. Unbeknownst to his base, Trump needs to keep his base angry with blacks so he can continue to get rich while his base remains poor or must deal with an economically fragile position.

Keep the blacks and whites separate so they don’t realize their power together. Distract, divide and destroy America. That’s the Trump way.

Rest assured, Special Counsel Robert Müeller’s Team is still investigating Russian interference in the U.S. elections in 2016. From various news reports Team Müeller also appears to be getting closer and closer to Donald Trump Sr. Stop the madness. Pay attention. Stay woke.

It’s sinful, shameful and un-American how our Republican-controlled government is trying to force the Graham-Cassidy health care repeal bill on the American people. Without proper vetting and analysis, the Senate will soon vote on this bill. Do they know what they are voting on or are they just toeing the Party line?

Graham-Cassidy is described as more egregious than any of the other previous attempts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA) also known as Obamacare. Graham-Cassidy removes protections for people with pre-existing health conditions; ends protections against lifetime and annual limits on insurance coverage; eliminates tax credits that help working people afford health coverage; and takes away health insurance for 32 million Americans.

Congress could just tweak ACA but no they are hell-bent on destroying the legacy of President Barack Obama because he is black. Donald Trump campaigned on repealing Obamacare on the first day he was in Office. The first day. Obviously that didn’t happen. Reasonable voters knew that was a lie. Republicans continue to lie, this time, about the Graham-Cassidy Bill. 

Call (202) 224-3121. Ask the operator to connect you with your senator. Ask your senator to VOTE NO on Graham-Cassidy. Time is of the essence. This is important. Our lives depend on it.

Every American-born and reared Black person over the age of 55 was very likely admonished, as a child, to not embarrass the race. The admonition was usually delivered prior to participating in an activity in which white people would be present. It could have been something as simple as going shopping in a store or going to the bank or going for a doctor's visit.

First of all, it was a requirement that we were appropriately dressed. No casual attire or "play clothes" permitted. We were usually told to behave. Don't talk. Don't touch anything. Don't even sit until you were told. The admonishment usually concluded with "don't embarrass the family and don't embarrass our race." Yes, such was the indoctrination, socialization and "training" of black children. 

So, what, do tell, does that have to do with Donald Trump? Well, quite frankly, I wonder how white people really feel about Donald Trump in his role as POTUS. More specifically, are white people embarrassed by Trump's crude behavior, penchant for tweeting when he should be governing and rambling, nonsensical responses to questions? Trump claims to have attended the Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania. Are their alumni embarrassed he's one of them? Inquiring minds want to know. 

When questioned recently about the rise in Anti-Semitism, this was Trump's answer:

Here is the transcript of that question and answer:

Reporter: Mr. President, since your election campaign and even after your victory, we’ve seen a sharp rise in anti-Semitic incidents across the United States. And I wonder what you say to those among the Jewish community in the States and in Israel and maybe around the world, who believe and feel that your administration is playing with xenophobia and maybe racist tones?

Trump: Well, I just want to say that we are, you know, very honored by the victory that we had. Three hundred and six Electoral College votes. We were not supposed to crack 220. You know that, right? There was no way to 221 but then they said there’s no way to 270. And there’s tremendous enthusiasm out there. I will say that we are going to have peace in this country. We are going to stop crime in this country. We are going to do everything within our power to stop long simmering racism and every other thing that’s going on. Because a lot of bad things have been taking place over a long period of time. I think one of the reasons I won the election is because we have a very, very divided nation. Very divided and hopefully, I’ll be able to do something about that. And I — you know, something that was very important to me.

As far as people, Jewish people — so many friends, a daughter who happens to be here right now. A son-in-law, and three beautiful grandchildren. I think that you’re going to see a lot of different United States of America over the next three, four, or eight years. I think a lot of good things are happening and you’re going to see a lot of love. You’re going to see a lot of love. Okay? Thank you.

Yes, that was the actual response from the man who has access to the nuclear codes. God help America. 

So, here we are. It’s Saturday, January 21, 2017. The day after Barack Obama’s last day as President of the United States. As much hatred as that man endured. The disrespect from American elected leaders. The persistent obstruction by Republican members of Congress. It was not a good look for our nation, but it was our reality. We will miss the tremendous dignity, grace, and intelligence of President Barack Hussein Obama. We will miss the Obama family. Eight years of “No Drama”. Thank you, Mr. President. 

So this was yestersay's news conference with Donald Trump. The first conference since he won the presidential election. It was all that Americans expected. It's troubling to fathom four years of this sideshow. This guy seems like a snake oil salesman. The United States of America is transitioning from an intelligent, classy leader such as President Barack Obama to this. Narcissistic. Not trustworthy. Untruthful. Unpresidented. God help us.  

Retired FSU football coach Bobby Bowden endorses Donald Trump for President of the United States.

So, at a rally in Tampa, Florida last Monday evening, legendary Florida State University football coach Bobby Bowden formally endorsed Donald J. Trump for President of the United States of America. Greeted by the crowd with the FSU tomahawk chop, it was both sad and disappointing but not at all surprising. It was a surprise that so many people, particularly Blacks, are surprised that Bowden endorsed a narcissistic, racist, misogynistic, xenophobic, emotionally unstable, sexual predator to lead this nation.

Just add Bowden's name to the list of famous athletic coaches that are on the Trump train including Bobby Knight, Mike Ditka, Rex Ryan, Mike Leach, and Lou Holtz. These coaches can be pleasant, even charming when recruiting young black men to play sports for them. They sometimes refer to young black men as "son," but the athletes are never seen as more than tools to win championships. Thus, the low prioritization of academic achievement and personal development of the athletes beyond the football field. The athletic championships can translate to obscene amounts of money for everyone else except the athlete unless he manages to make it to the professional level.

Rumors of Bowden being racist have persisted for years. His endorsement of Donald Trump, even under the guise of religiosity appears to confirm those rumors and gives rise to more concerns about how he views women also. One would be shortsighted not to wonder about the current culture at Florida State and its football program. These negative perceptions didn't develop overnight and won't change quickly either.

Florida's capital city, Tallahassee, is also the home of Florida State. It would also be prudent to believe that elected and business leaders in Florida who endorse Trump share his perspectives on ethnic minorities, women, and immigrants. It is what it is, let's not kid ourselves.

Sadly, at the end of the day, for the love of money and dreams of fame and fortune, many Black parents will still entrust (pimp out) their young sons to the likes of Bowden and other coaches who share his white supremacist and misogynistic perspectives. Are the majority of American voters with Bowden on the Trump Train? I don't think so. We will find out November 8.