All I can say is, they didn’t have motor vehicles or the Internet in January of 1863. That’s when President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing all slaves in the United States.

Except the word didn’t get out very fast. Even where slaveholders were aware of it, the executive order was all too easy to ignore as long as no Union troops came along to enforce it. Which they finally did, notably in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865. Better two and a half years late than never, right?

Race relations in our country have improved a lot since the horrific days of slavery, but we still have a long way to go. And racism flat-out stinks. In honor of Juneteenth, would you join me in these three simple exercises? As near as I can figure, all of us could use the practice.

Celebrate freedom.

Let go of assumptions.

Pursue understanding.

Well, friends, that’s about all that’s on my mind today.

Your turn: If you have experienced a racial barrier being overcome, I’d love to hear about it. You can use the “Leave a Reply” box below.

Thanks for reading,
Jan