And Still I Rise…

So, if you are on social media of any kind you know that today is June 19th or Juneteenth. If you didn’t know, now you do. You’re welcome.

On this day in 1865 the last slaves found out about the emancipation proclamation, letting them know that they were free.

Slavery was officially over.

If I’m honest I did not know about this holiday growing up. It wasn’t taught in school and the first time I remember hearing about it was when I was a teenager. I have not ever really celebrated it and I’m not sure if I will, but I believe the most important point is to know my history.

In the climate that we are living in right now, I believe that it is important to not only know your history but embrace it.

Well, Still I Rise by Maya Angelou is a poem that makes me so beyond proud to be black I can’t help but want to read it not only today, but everyday. The first time I heard it I was a kid and my sister had to recite it for a black history program. I fell head over heels with every word. So much so that when was a freshman in high school, we had to read a poem out loud and I chose it. I could hear the pride in my voice as I recited this poem to my all white class and teacher. I felt so powerful and seen. It was like I was introducing myself to them, at least a part of me. A very important part.

I am a black woman. My ancestors endured so much for me to be free. They endured the pain and torture of slavery. They endured being beaten and sold and even killed. They did so never losing hope that one day they would be free. And some of them saw the end of slavery but others of them are free through me.

So as I grow and become all that God has created me to be, I am grateful to my ancestors for never giving up hope and always trusting that God would give them beauty for ashes. And to honor them I will do my best to make it better for the generations after me.

“Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave

I am the dream and the hope of the slave

I rise

I rise

I rise“