I would replace Juneteenth with May 13th. Roberts Smalls was born a slave in 1839. At age 14, His master hired him out to the owner of the steamship Planter in Charleston Harbor. In the early morning hours of May 13, 1862, Smalls (aged 22) using the skills he learned, freed himself, his family, his crew, their families and 4 Confederate harbor defense cannons by commandeering the ship, and sailing it from the Confederate-controlled waters past Fort Sumter to the U.S. blockade that surrounded the harbor. He was later elected to the United States Congress as a Republican. Taking charge of your own fate should be celebrated. Tip of the Day. If you own the fastest vehicle around, don’t leave the keys where the kids can find them. (Note: It wasn’t speed that got them past the fort’s cannons)
I might not agree completely due to the regional influence of the oppression which continued without alternative in Texas, but Small should certainly be recognized for his incredible and inspiring actions!
Thank you Tara. It is difficult for me to imagine what June 19th and the Emancipation Proclamation must have meant to the slaves of Galveston what slavery must have been like for the slaves of the United States. However, I am hopeful that this nation will eventually heal from the terrible institution of slavery.
Abraham Lincoln should not be criticized for "only" freeing slaves in states in rebellion. His interpretation of the Constitution (which I believe was correct) was that the president did not have the power to free slaves. However, he used his power as commander-in-chief to issue the Proclamation in hopes of disrupting those making war on the US. He also pushed through Congress the 13th Amendment, freeing all slaves in the US (unless someone was convicted of a crime).
I believe you are correct. The Emancipation Proclamation, which would have no power on a separate country, was more of an effort to cause confusion and disrupt the economy of the South.
And it did cause serious economic disruption and confusion in the states add areas where the war was fought. Another problem which occurred for the Union forces was that those emancipated slaves became “contraband” and would follow with Army units to be under their protection - often to their own demise as they were left at the mercies of following hostile forces.
The 13th Amendment, to that particular "Constitution," freed no one. All it did was to end private slave ownership, but enshrined public slave ownership. How can one "abolish" something, yet in the same breath say it will be used as a form of punishment? Lincoln could be criticized for many,things including, his "interpretation" of the Constitution. His Proclamation freed the southern states from their obligations to their slaves. Thereby taking away what little protections the slaves had in hope it would start a rebellion and help his war effort. The original 13th Amendment was the Titles Of Nobility Act of 1819 (T.ON.A) Which forbid anyone accepting or holding foreign Titles, from holding ANY public office, at any level,anywhere in the country. As Lincoln was a card carrying BAR attorney, he held the title of enquire. Which disqualified him from holding the public office of President of The United States of America, but did not disqualify him from holding the private office of President (CEO) of the United States of America, Inc. But to get back to the other issue, explain how the 14th Amendment enslaved everyone, of every color, in America, if what Lincoln did was so great?
Most folks outside Texas didn't know anything about Juneteenth till last year. This is a good explanation of the erroneous Emancipation Proclamation for them too.
It is right that we celebrate the freedom of those who were once enslaved. It is not right that we should allow politicians and the media to entangle our hearts with attitudes of bitterness toward one and other.
It’s good to know about this piece of history, but it doesn’t seem to rise to the level of other national holidays. This was an event that happened in Texas. It didn’t affect the country as a whole. The Emancipation Proclamation was and is the most important document and something we can all celebrate and embrace. It was a big and positive step in change for our country. We’ve made green progress until now. We don’t want to encourage reverse discrimination. I like your positive ending, Tara: “Today, the, is a reminder of the promise of America: Liberty and equality for all. But it is also a reminder of how far we we’ve come.”
Juneteenth celebrations were detested by many white folk for quite a while and I am white and have witnessed it. Today they are broadly accepted as is the right thing to do. It should be celebrated at least in Texas. In reflecting on the day I could not help bet reflect that the freedom of the slaves was the ultimate outcome of the Civil War and reunited a nation torn between an agrarian economy built porn the back of slave labor and an industrial economy built upon the back of a labor force kept poor and without other recourse but to work for their factory in pitiful conditions along side of children. Not every industrialist treated his people horribly nor did every plantation owner treat his slaves horrible. Yet, the idea off having such control over people so that they could be bought and sold still leaves a foul taste in my mouth. Child labor was not much better. That children should have had to work to help support their families was just as repulsive. It’s not that I mind children working - but it should be around the home and in the garden without being in a dangerous industrial environment.
That it took so long for the slaves to be freed in Texas should not have been, but at the time Texas was isolated from the East. I still think Juneteenth should be celebrated. And I appreciate the manner in which it has been celebrated by families and groups as they have historically gotten together to not just celebrate but to speak about what was left, what was need to improve as a group, and how they could go about it. Our nation has indeed came a long ways even in my years from the 1950s to the present. We must continue to progress in the improvement o our peoples and overcome our differences to work for our own mutual improvement.
I would hope that your article could be posted on the [front pages] of every news paper in our world.
The lives of human beings were not (ever) created by God to be kept under slavery to another person or organization that uses people as “objects “ that can be bought, traded, or bartered for gain!
God does not create people for Sales to another.🙏🏼🩷
John, God created the Earth. His enemy controls the world. Human Beings are creatures or monsters. I seriously doubt that He had a hand in creating them, and i would bet He doesnt have much love for them.Words have meanings, and one should know them, before they use them.
I would replace Juneteenth with May 13th. Roberts Smalls was born a slave in 1839. At age 14, His master hired him out to the owner of the steamship Planter in Charleston Harbor. In the early morning hours of May 13, 1862, Smalls (aged 22) using the skills he learned, freed himself, his family, his crew, their families and 4 Confederate harbor defense cannons by commandeering the ship, and sailing it from the Confederate-controlled waters past Fort Sumter to the U.S. blockade that surrounded the harbor. He was later elected to the United States Congress as a Republican. Taking charge of your own fate should be celebrated. Tip of the Day. If you own the fastest vehicle around, don’t leave the keys where the kids can find them. (Note: It wasn’t speed that got them past the fort’s cannons)
I might not agree completely due to the regional influence of the oppression which continued without alternative in Texas, but Small should certainly be recognized for his incredible and inspiring actions!
I have advocated for placing Smalls in Statuary Hall.
I love the story of Robert Smalls! It needs to be made into a movie.
Thank you Tara. It is difficult for me to imagine what June 19th and the Emancipation Proclamation must have meant to the slaves of Galveston what slavery must have been like for the slaves of the United States. However, I am hopeful that this nation will eventually heal from the terrible institution of slavery.
Abraham Lincoln should not be criticized for "only" freeing slaves in states in rebellion. His interpretation of the Constitution (which I believe was correct) was that the president did not have the power to free slaves. However, he used his power as commander-in-chief to issue the Proclamation in hopes of disrupting those making war on the US. He also pushed through Congress the 13th Amendment, freeing all slaves in the US (unless someone was convicted of a crime).
I believe you are correct. The Emancipation Proclamation, which would have no power on a separate country, was more of an effort to cause confusion and disrupt the economy of the South.
And it did cause serious economic disruption and confusion in the states add areas where the war was fought. Another problem which occurred for the Union forces was that those emancipated slaves became “contraband” and would follow with Army units to be under their protection - often to their own demise as they were left at the mercies of following hostile forces.
The 13th Amendment, to that particular "Constitution," freed no one. All it did was to end private slave ownership, but enshrined public slave ownership. How can one "abolish" something, yet in the same breath say it will be used as a form of punishment? Lincoln could be criticized for many,things including, his "interpretation" of the Constitution. His Proclamation freed the southern states from their obligations to their slaves. Thereby taking away what little protections the slaves had in hope it would start a rebellion and help his war effort. The original 13th Amendment was the Titles Of Nobility Act of 1819 (T.ON.A) Which forbid anyone accepting or holding foreign Titles, from holding ANY public office, at any level,anywhere in the country. As Lincoln was a card carrying BAR attorney, he held the title of enquire. Which disqualified him from holding the public office of President of The United States of America, but did not disqualify him from holding the private office of President (CEO) of the United States of America, Inc. But to get back to the other issue, explain how the 14th Amendment enslaved everyone, of every color, in America, if what Lincoln did was so great?
Most folks outside Texas didn't know anything about Juneteenth till last year. This is a good explanation of the erroneous Emancipation Proclamation for them too.
Thank you Tara for that historical briefing on the roots of this celebratory day. I did not know all the details you described.
Thank you Tara for the lesson. As always, I have learned much from this read.
I pray for healing and that we treat everyone as an equal and love them like God loves us.
It is right that we celebrate the freedom of those who were once enslaved. It is not right that we should allow politicians and the media to entangle our hearts with attitudes of bitterness toward one and other.
It’s good to know about this piece of history, but it doesn’t seem to rise to the level of other national holidays. This was an event that happened in Texas. It didn’t affect the country as a whole. The Emancipation Proclamation was and is the most important document and something we can all celebrate and embrace. It was a big and positive step in change for our country. We’ve made green progress until now. We don’t want to encourage reverse discrimination. I like your positive ending, Tara: “Today, the, is a reminder of the promise of America: Liberty and equality for all. But it is also a reminder of how far we we’ve come.”
I moved to Tx in 1992, and it wasn’t until then I learned of Juneteenth..TY for sharing!
Juneteenth celebrations were detested by many white folk for quite a while and I am white and have witnessed it. Today they are broadly accepted as is the right thing to do. It should be celebrated at least in Texas. In reflecting on the day I could not help bet reflect that the freedom of the slaves was the ultimate outcome of the Civil War and reunited a nation torn between an agrarian economy built porn the back of slave labor and an industrial economy built upon the back of a labor force kept poor and without other recourse but to work for their factory in pitiful conditions along side of children. Not every industrialist treated his people horribly nor did every plantation owner treat his slaves horrible. Yet, the idea off having such control over people so that they could be bought and sold still leaves a foul taste in my mouth. Child labor was not much better. That children should have had to work to help support their families was just as repulsive. It’s not that I mind children working - but it should be around the home and in the garden without being in a dangerous industrial environment.
That it took so long for the slaves to be freed in Texas should not have been, but at the time Texas was isolated from the East. I still think Juneteenth should be celebrated. And I appreciate the manner in which it has been celebrated by families and groups as they have historically gotten together to not just celebrate but to speak about what was left, what was need to improve as a group, and how they could go about it. Our nation has indeed came a long ways even in my years from the 1950s to the present. We must continue to progress in the improvement o our peoples and overcome our differences to work for our own mutual improvement.
Thank you, Tara.
I would hope that your article could be posted on the [front pages] of every news paper in our world.
The lives of human beings were not (ever) created by God to be kept under slavery to another person or organization that uses people as “objects “ that can be bought, traded, or bartered for gain!
God does not create people for Sales to another.🙏🏼🩷
John, God created the Earth. His enemy controls the world. Human Beings are creatures or monsters. I seriously doubt that He had a hand in creating them, and i would bet He doesnt have much love for them.Words have meanings, and one should know them, before they use them.
Thank you, Tara.
Good read as always Tara