Now That Juneteenth is a National Holiday
in honor of Liberty, Hope,
and Resiliency.
We pause
with clear-eyed acknowledgement of slavery's role
in building the economic foundation of our country
We pause
to consider a better way forward
for our not always glorious national history
We must not
co-opt this celebration with white commercialism
We must not
let this celebration undermine the right to protest
We must not
allow this celebration to eliminate the ongoing work of justice
©Mary Lee Hahn, 2021 (draft)
As I read through different versions of the news of President Biden's declaration of Juneteenth as a national holiday, I jotted words and phrases that became this poem. This is Juneteenth through the lens of a white American who was ignorant about Juneteenth until embarrassingly recently because of gaps in my formal and informal education. I am excited to share the joy of Juneteenth, but I understand that in many ways, the deep significance of Juneteenth is not mine to claim.
For words that weren't mine to write about liberty, hope, resiliency, and our not always glorious national history, read (or better yet, listen to) "When Fannie Lou Hamer Said" by Mahogany L. Brown.
And here are some children's authors, illustrators, and creators telling what Juneteenth means to them.
Buffy has a delight-full nature poem and this week's Poetry Friday at her blog Buffy Silverman.
And there are just six five more slots left on the Poetry Friday roundup schedule. Claim one here!
