Juneteenth may mark the end of slavery in the United States but must begin with acknowledgement for that bloody time in our history. This Federal holiday asks us to envision new horizons with opportunities for more than hope. Let us note how substantial change comes about, with people making their voices heard loud and clear, through peaceful protests and intentional voting. Looking backwards or forward, regardless, Juneteenth is provocative for it demands that we speak truth and face fact. We are a nation of mostly immigrants, some “Bought, sold, stolen, arriving on a nightmare” but at this moment we are all “Praying for a dream” “on the pulse of this new day” (Angelou).
Tag Archives: Barack Obama
You Can Disagree
Heard the maxim ‘you can disagree without being disagreeable‘? RBG is noted for stating something to that effect, as is Obama, and perhaps several other cool-headed thinkers. For whatever reason, the saying has been rolling around in my head all week. If I place it side-by-side with my mother’s advice, ‘if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all,’ there appears to be a gap. How does one learn to debate hard ideas if one remains silent? Or take inconsistent data and view it from multiple angles? How do we disagree and still communicate? It is far larger than remaining quiet, isn’t it?
Thank You Barack,
Dear Barack,
When I think of the civil liberties that you and your family gave up to serve our country, I am indeed overwhelmed, and absolutely indebted; this all too brief thank you goes not only to you but to Michelle and Sasha and Malia too. Instead of summer holidays going from cheap motel to public beach, you, along with secret service, were in the spotlight; or in place of date night down at the local theater you were navigating normalcy with all of us peering into your dining room window. We Americans were indeed the lucky ones in this eight year scenario.


