East West Bank’s Post

We can acknowledge and even celebrate the truth of our history together without dissension. Reality: On this day in 1865, two and a half years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, approximately 2000 Union troops arrived in Galveston and declared by executive decree that slaves were free. This order freed over 250,000 black people that were still enslaved in Texas. Why was it delayed? The Emancipation Proclamation could not be implemented in areas that were under Confederate control. Why do we acknowledge and celebrate this day? We acknowledge it because it happened. We celebrate it because the freedom of any person or people who was once unfairly held in bondage, abused and mistreated, should be celebrated. Though there was and still is in some places an uphill battle, freed slaves who survived faced many hardships and heartaches. Many searched for family members that they had been separated from hence the importance of reunions. They had to figure out the safe places where they could gain employment and settle. They were resilient during times when many would have given up and their resilience led to the progression of a people and progression a country. A call to action: No matter your race or ethnicity, don’t be afraid to acknowledge the hard truths of our past as well as the good. The important part is to work in unity today and not allow for the mistreatment and abuse of others to happen again. We should also ask ourselves how are we impacting the world so that it is a better place, not only for ourselves and our families, but for everyone. #JuneteenthMatters #TexasHistory #AmericanHistory #OurHistory #WeAreTheChange #StrongerTogether

Happy Juneteenth!! "Juneteenth has become the most well-known celebration for the ending of slavery in the United States and viewed by some as America’s second Independence Day. But the history of this important celebration is complex and often misunderstood." Get more information about the significance for Juneteenth and more below https://lnkd.in/ebGMyJb5

Today, we honor the anniversary of the end of slavery in the United States and the invitation of freedom to all Americans. #FreedomDay Learn more about the significance of Juneteenth https://buff.ly/3MThhq6

Juneteenth for many in our country is a day of celebration, marking the at least symbolic end of slavery in the United States on June 19th, 1865. It is an important celebration that should be honored by all, particularly as many would want to erase part of our history. Given that this day was over 2 months after Lee's surrender at Appomattox, almost 3 years after the Emancipation Proclamation (which only applied to areas occupied by Confederate forces), and a month after the disbanding of the Confederate military department in Texas (not to mention after the ratification of the United States Constitution decades earlier), Juneteenth can very possibly be an example of the Rev. Dr. King's statement that "justice too long delayed is justice denied." I believe those of us who identify as white and continue to enjoy the privileges our culture extends with that, we must be mindful of the ongoing work we each need to do both internally, in our families, our communities, our places of employment, in our civic engagements, our faith communities, and any other sector of our lives as we move toward equity and inclusion for all persons. For many of us, we must be careful not to think a celebration absolves us from the work that still needs to be done. Dr. Jemar Tisby speaks to Juneteenth [https://lnkd.in/gTSgeH4H]. I welcome his voice as a scholar, an activist, and a person of faith. I also share a prayer from the Catholic Climate Covenant. I am always wary when "thoughts and prayers" are invoked, but I also believe in it importance as well. #diversityinclusion #juneteenth #equityandinclusion #equitydiversityinclusion #restorativejustice

Understand the past. Respect and defend freedom for everyone. Juneteenth is celebrated annually on June 19th to commemorate the ending of slavery in the United States. Learn more about the historical significance of Juneteenth here: https://hubs.li/Q02CqRyk0

THE AMERICAN’S CREED “ I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed, a democracy in a republic, a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes. I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support its Constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies.” –Written by William Tyler Page in 1917, accepted by the United States House of Representatives on April 3, 1918. So well said. I wish it could be recited each day by all elected officials, schoolchildren, and members of the military.🇺🇸 It is quoted in several of my resources, including my book, online course, and posters. Share it in the workplace and with family and friends. Let this be a starting point to great conversations about the history of our nation. 💡 May God heal and bless America. 🙏🇺🇸🙏 #prosperity101 #westandforfreedom #godblessamerica #godblesstheusa #freedom #liberty #employer #employers #constitution #workplace #politicsaffectsbusiness #politicsaffectsourdailylives US Christian Chamber of Commerce Red Balloon Marty Lotito

We Are Speaking Issue #383 American History As we continue to struggle to save our admittedly imperfect Union from would-be authoritarians and dictators, we must realize that while our early presidents believed in all of the freedoms they espoused for white, male, Christian Americans, they had no problem enslaving Africans and committing genocide on Indigenous Nations. Our first ten presidents were slave owners. Most of them owned slaves for economic reasons, although a few really felt that they were destined to rule over the non-Europeans in America. Click (or copy/paste) the link to read. To support our publication, please consider subscribing for free or paid at no more than $5/month. #Substack #AmericanHistory https://smpl.is/7tjkz

Juneteenth, officially Juneteenth National Independence Day, is a federal holiday in the United States. It is celebrated annually on June 19 to commemorate the ending of slavery. The holiday's name is a portmanteau of the words "June" and "nineteenth", as it was on June 19, 1865, when Major General Gordon Granger ordered the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas at the end of the American Civil War. Learn More at https://lnkd.in/gXi62WX #Juneteenth