6/19 is Juneteenth
~~ Juneteenth 1913
Before I start, I'm going to make note of some other noteworthy events on this day:
In 1862, Congress prohibited slavery in US territories, nullifying Dred Scott v. Sandford.
In 1964, The Civil Rights Act of 1964 which had already passed in the House, also passed in the Senate
In 1979, one W.T. Rabe created World Sauntering Day, aka International Sauntering Day, in reaction to the growing semi-cultish popularity of jogging. The idea was to encourage people to slow down and enjoy and appreciate life rather than rushing through it. I heartily concur and think that this is a perfect day to indulge in such behavior.
So, Juneteenth. The short form is that this is when the news of the abolition of legal slavery hit Galveston. So why would that specific date be such a BFD outside of Galveston? Well .... Abe Lincoln's 1862 Emancipation Proclamation freed some of the slaves in the US with an effective date of January 1, 1863. Effectively, as enunciated by Lincoln on 01/01/1863, it freed all enslaved persons in the Confederacy only. The 13th Amendment, Constitutionally prohibiting slavery was passed by the Senate in April 1864, by the House in January 1865, and ratified on December 6, 1865. Lee had surrendered at Appomattox on April 9, 1865, and Jefferson Davis was captured on May 10, 1865.
Gordon Granger arrived at Galveston with 2.000 US troops to occupy the now defeated Texas on June 18, 1865. On the following day he read aloud from the balcony of a local building a document known as "General Order No. 3": as follows:
The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.
The Emancipation Proclamation was essentially meaningless unless the Confederacy surrendered, or there were Union Army troops at hand to enforce it, or both. Gordon Granger's reading of General Order No. 3 was the instrument that actually freed all of the enslaved people in Texas. There were great numbers of them because many slaveholders had bailed on Confederate states further east in the face of encroaching war and bolted to Texas taking "their" slaves with them.
There was a large celebration among the freed slave populace of Galveston, which had swelled to great size due to the influx of slaveholders from further east as explained above. This phenomenon spread as the news spread and became an annual event, which was given official status in Texas in 1980. It spread, officially or otherwise, throughout the US and Became a federal holiday in 2021.
So, first and foremost, we need a celebration
Traditionally such celebrations include "traditional" songs such as Swing Low Sweet Chariot:
Also, Lift Every Voice and Sing:
ok, so let's just add a few more appropriate pieces without further commentary except to note that the General Order said something about the absolute equality of rights, which wasn't true then and isn't now, the struggle continues:
Image is June 19, Emancipation Day. Corpus Christi, 1913, by Geroge McCuistion.
Ok, it's an open thread, so it's up to you folks now. So what's on your mind?
Cross posted from http://caucus99percent.com
open thread, Juneteenth, Civil Rights Act, Celebration
Comments
Good morning...
So no mail today I guess since it is a federal holiday. Today, I'm hoping to get my new starter on my old tractor so I can get back in the mowing mode. We got another 0.7" of much needed rain last night.
So happy holiday, where every one is free to experience the fading empire. Thanks for the music and OT!
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Good morning LO, thanks for reading. Good luck
with the tractor project. Dunno why, but I suspect that I have replaced more than my fair share of starters, probably related to the age at purchase or other acquisition of most of my vehicles.
be well and have a good one
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --
starters?
I don't generally admit to anyone I know this, lest you end up on your back with shims again.... but I must have the same (mis-) fortune EL. Lotta nearish-eggbeaters. I have done starters on what seems like a dozen cars. Once I asked a place how many hours they charged labor to do it, and when they said 3-4, I suggested they must be kidding, it's an hour tops.
I did one for our 78 Seville at the Rio Grande Village campground in Big Bend Nat. Pk. The post office had to send it down from Alpine. This back in 89, when they would do that for any random camper, not sure nowadays. A starter delivered to the campsite! Just for the price of the starter at Car Quest. A lotta Texans are the real deal made of the right stuff.
Here's to hoping we are done with starters!
We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.
both - Albert Einstein
Back in the 80s and 90s
when my trips were all driving, I either had my mom or my first (late) husband with me. After both of them passed away, I started flying to intended destinations. And that led to me going all over the world.
So, I didn't want to drive 2 days to Big Bend alone. Then 2 days back alone. I couldn't configure sensible flights there from Houston. So, re-marriage decades later, the urge to show my hubby Texas, and see the remaining National Park in it that I haven't visited, what do I see? Trip advisories that many sections and roads in the park, many scenic areas, are either closed, or people are advised to avoid them due to the safety concerns about migrants who have started living there. Unbelievable. Still, if a park Rangers says don't go there, I will not go there.
Glad you got to see it, pal!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Big Bend N.P.
Hi OtC! Yeah Big Bend is fairly remote and hard to get to, at the end of a dead-end road. A long way out at the end of the line
Bummer about the current situation in Big Bend N.P. now, wow! It is a spectacular place. I loved it. was there in winter, Dec. 71, cold as heck, then summer June 73 to see Colima Warbler, and late Feb. in 89 was last time I made it there. Wanted Mrs. dysto to see it. Due to car trouble we didn't even get to do it all, a few days burnt stuck in one place.
Birders are still going up the trail to Boot Springss in the Chisos Mtns. and seeing the Colima Warbler I know. Only place in the U.S. to see it. Why I was there in June once. You camp, or stay at the Lodge (often booked a year in advance) in 'the Basin', so you can start early up the mountain before hot. Maybe was in May this year the first photographed Crescent-chested Warbler in Texas was there near Boot Springs. A Mexican mountain warbler.
The Window trail is easy one and leads to an incredible view at a pouroff out into Mexico. One day I'll dig my slides out and scan... Santa Elena Canyon is stunning, as pretty as it gets, most impressive. Birders love it up in the Chisos where 6000'+ altitude and lots of unique birds in pine-oak forest. And that darn Colima Warbler. Every birder in America that seriously tries to see all the birds here, eventually pilgramages to Boot Springs in the Chisos to see a Colima Warbler. Which not very fancy amongst warblers really. But very range restricted, one place in the U.S.
There used to be outfitters in the basin that you could hire/join and go up to the 'high country' of the Chisos on horseback and camp, they do all the cooking, etc. Without the fairly steep hike hoofin' it a few miles uphill to the pine-oak woodlands. Hardy birders backpack in and sleep at Boot Springs so as to wake up there.
Google images of Santa Elena Canyon and The Window Trail, at BBNP.
Three trips and I only scraped the surface of it... There were hot springs too, I think near a place called Boquillas on the Rio Grande. My uncle the Ph.D. biologist showed me button (Peyote) cactus there! I think our tax dollars and gubmint eradicated it all now though.
I give it 5 stars and would highly recommend.
We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.
both - Albert Einstein
We will try it one day.
That car breakdown for days. Imagine you were al lone middle aged woman. Hell, even buying gas is strategic.
But, the one place in the country birds just might make it all worthwhile!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
G'day mates
some stuff is open today
some stuff ain't
rebuilding the tractor
ambitions are faint
hope enhydra lutris is on the mend
truth is considered foreign influence, world peace is a threat to national security
G'day yourself, QMS. Condition varies off and on throughout
the day, or has been doing so. I am definitely improved over a few days ago, at least so far. Last day of Paxlovid will be today, then we'll see what follows.
Your salutation raises questions, especially given that you ply a trade that plies the trades
be well and have a good one
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --
Good morning, El, et. al.
I had several history classes in public school that I was taught during the years of segregated schools. They forgot to teach that the driving force for Texians to revolt against Mexico was Santa Anna's refusal to allow slavery.
Juneteenth was sort of a picnic day for the kids at the "other school".
I am glad we can all enjoy it now.
Hope you are over your illness, El.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Good morning otc. I suspect that tidbit of history
was elided from most US history texts, it sure was from mine.
I am definitely feeling better that I was, but not yet "well". All the same, things are looking up.
be well and have a good one
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --
Great music to start this week!
Thanks for all the songs! Great sounds to help me start this week finishing unpacking as I settle in to life in Santa Fe. Much cooler than the temps I left behind in Central Texas! Have a good week all.
Life is what you make it, so make it something worthwhile.
This ain't no dress rehearsal!
Good morning JB, good to see ya. Hope you enjoy
the cooler temps once you get unpacked.
be well and have a good one
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --
Internet and Weather
Haven't been able to post for a while. Internet was so bad that my last posts went out into the ether, never to be seen again. But then a miracle happened. The sky opened up, a bright light showed down on me, and a choir of angels began singing.
I finally got my county's high speed internet service. After close to a 2-year wait, it finally happened. Now I have a large, metal antennae sitting in my yard. And it works great. I now actually have internet 24 hours a day. It has only gone out twice, both times were during a lightning storm. The biggest complaint I have heard about this company is poor customer service.
I'm in the FL panhandle and it has rained continuously the last couple of weeks. And the rain is hard. The local news says that it's comparable to hurricane rains and now there seems to be one of those heading this way.
glad to see you are back with us
yeah, lightning is freaky
seems to have fried the
mother board on our washer
while away - spin cycle does
not compute any longer
hope your new IT device
holds up
truth is considered foreign influence, world peace is a threat to national security
Sorry to hear about the washer. Any hope for repair? n/t
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --
send it back to the manufacturer?
shipping costs make it a wash
truth is considered foreign influence, world peace is a threat to national security
Just a random thought. Have you tried this?
My washer has multiple options as to the type of wash cycle .
Something like normal. delicate etc. Each has a spin cycle. Have you tried to switch from the regular wash to a different spin cycle to complete the wash or are all of them fubar?
Or maybe the belt snapped?
That should not be that hard to replace for a handy man.
good advise
thinking down the same path today while mowing
thanks man, we are a team
truth is considered foreign influence, world peace is a threat to national security
Good morning Enchantress, good to have you back online.
Hope it holds up and also hope you dodge any incipient storms.
be well and have a good one
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --
I'm also concerned
...about this stormy weather. I hope you get through the rainy season okay Enchantress.
I had an offer from a tree service to take out the last of some large trees on my property to get ready for hurricane season. Because they are right next to the power lines, we agreed to their offer after some negotiation. Hate to do it, but really don't have a choice. Hopefully, it won't flood this year, and I can move out in the spring sometime. Some of the homes in the neighborhood have already sold. Several have been up for sale for a while, which is unusual.
I injured myself yesterday moving some sand bags. I had piled them up in the garage, and they got wet from a leak in the wall that I thought I had fixed. Hopefully, the daily afternoon rain will let up enough to let the wall dry out, so I can try again.
Really enjoyed the history lesson from EL and the music selection here, brought back some good memories.
It's going to very noisy here tomorrow.
語必忠信 行必正直
Happy Juneteenth,
EL! Hope you're feeling better.
We've got Denver Pridefest coming up here shortly. I'm trying to decide whether or not to do it in drag this year- or whether the odds of getting ballistically freedumbed have finally become too high. Lotta people fearing for their lives over underwear, here lately...
On edit: I reposted your very nicely written Juneteenth article (with credit, of course) to the WoTB Saidit page, just to provide some content for its brandy-new home over there. Hope that's okay...
Twice bitten, permanently shy.
Good afternoon UFS. Thanks for reading and for the
wellwishes. Yeah, it's ok to repost it, thanks.
be well and have a good one
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --
Monday Monday
Hi all, hey EL!
Hope all are well, and that you are on the mend EL!
I saw Stevie Wonder open for the Stones on the Exile on Main St. Tour (which was also the first STicky Fingers live played in the states tour, and last Mick Taylor tour). I think '72. I was amazed by Stevie Wonder. My Cherie Amor was a hit, and he brought the Long Beach Arena down. It was awesome. The Stones were always good at getting acts as openers they wanted people to see. They did Prince in '82 before he hit it big. In '75 it was 3 different African percussion bands that were incredible. Thanks for all the great tunes today! I love Nina Simone too.
I love sauntering. Not to brag but am actually highly skilled at it. I am a saunterologist. That is my preferred method of walking in nature. I saunter with binocs, camera, telescope and tripod over shoulder if any distant viewing. I see these birders running around covering all this ground, and can't help but wonder how much they missed. It is why you can walk in behind them and find things they did not see. Just saunter, instead of seeing how many miles you cover, spots you can quickly peek at, and how many species you can see. Having a high interest in insects, and everything else I pass from fungus to fossils, really helps me see more birds. As it forces one to saunter. Whilst I stand around looking for that lizard or beetle I saw, a new bird I was about to walk by, calls. Happens all the time.
Mrs. dysto and I will walk up a canyon and a group of birders will blaze by, and back, as we still make our way up. Never surprised to hear they did not see anything. They can't believe what they missed when they hear our sightings, because we are only half way up the canyon. I really try to be methodical and 'get everything' as I move along. Birds, bugs, flowers, fish, herps (folks, this is not a virus, but a name used by naturalists (which are not to be confused with naturists) for reptiles and amphibians, from the word Herpetology, the study of reptiles and amphibs), doesn't matter what to me.
I've been told I go to slow... by people that missed things right in front of me. LOL
Tranquillo amigos.
I've got to saunter on now...
We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.
both - Albert Einstein
Call me a fellow saunterer.
I didn't miss the thumbnail sized frog this morning on my way off my porch to get to the car.
I may be healthy, but have little strength or stamina. And haven't in my life. And not only have I not missed much, I have enjoyed more than the average bear.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
what we manage to enjoy in this stream
makes the most of the time we have
left
cheers
truth is considered foreign influence, world peace is a threat to national security
we called it the mambo in NOLA
sidewalks all up crooked-up by heaving tree roots
sauntering, like staggering, but with a smooth flow
still stroll everywhere I go
truth is considered foreign influence, world peace is a threat to national security
Good morning Dysto. Thanks for the well-wishes.
Good to hear that you are a saunterer, makes sense and expected in retrospect. Having grown up back when there were beachcombers and tidepoolers, I came to an early appreciation of the saunter as a mode of locomotion.
be well and have a good one
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --