Dr. Joy DeGruy (Formerly Leary) spent a dozen years
of research developing her theory of Post Traumatic Slavery Syndrome. P.T.S.S. is a condition arising from the multi-generational
oppression of Africans and their descendants resulting from centuries of chattel
slavery. This systemic subjugation was based
on the belief of the inherent / genetic inferiority of the enslaved.
Even after
the Emancipation Proclamation, this ingrained, economically beneficial belief enabled
and sanctioned institutionalized racism and its accompanying injury.
We Americans don’t talk very much about the present
day effects of our history of enslavement.
Even the release of a movie like Django Unchained, does not spark a
national examination of conscience regarding the pernicious dehumanization of a
people; let alone a discussion on the residual effects manifest today.
According to Juneteenth.com, Juneteenth is the
oldest celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19th 1865 union solders,
led by Major General Gordon Granger, arrived in Galveston, Texas with the news
the war had ended and the enslaved were free.
So two years AFTER the Emancipation Proclamation the declaration was made
real in Texas and June 19th became a regular day of celebration for
many black Americans.
My feeling is that Juneteenth should be a
national day of observance. A day to
look at this nightmare episode of our collective history - how far we have come from
slavery and how far we still have to go towards healing.
Happy Juneteenth America!
Rhonda Hansome is an actress, writer, director and stand-up comedian. Watch her as the Bar Owner in the promo for Date Me Do Me Dump Me the musical on tour this summer.
wonderful blog. thank you for sharing the information many of us do not have. I agree it should be a recognized day in history to be observed. It should be taught about in schools. Discussing the subjugation of a people when so many are still stuck in that head -- I can see that being difficult and resisted.
ReplyDeleteHappy Juneteenth, and yes, we have a ways to go for healing as long as any human's life is viewed as less important than anyone else's.
That's Beautiful -Thank You!!
ReplyDeleteThat's Beautiful -Thank You!!
ReplyDeleteGreat post. My students and I had a very insightful discussion regarding Juneteenth the other day. ~S
ReplyDeleteThank you !
ReplyDelete