Quincy Murdock - What Juneteenth Means To Me

Juneteenth means so much to me. Growing up in the South, even in the '90s, you could always tell things weren't right. The teachings in school left me feeling at times that "something is missing." The lack of Black people's existence seemed unimportant, overlooked, and basically ignored. As a child, many of these concerns and misguided ways were covered up by our families. To make us feel good about ourselves, they showered us with love, affection, and any material things we needed or just asked for. We never knew our true background, what we had faced as Black African Americans, and most importantly, what we would grow up to face. As I got older, I started seeing the world for what it was. Most importantly, I noticed what being Black really meant. Being Black, we were made and taught to just be thankful. Even if it's below our worth and rate we deserved, you were never supposed to speak up or say anything about it. We should just be thankful we were in the room and were getting the little we got. The "we want our 40 acres and a mule" hit more once I was older. What teachings does all this do to the Black African American? Firstly, they put fear in you for speaking out (even if treated unfairly) that you will be punished. Today's modern-day whippings or hangings have been replaced with taking financial gain and opportunities away. We are still oppressed in many ways as Black people. Secondly, it causes a Black individual to have low self-esteem about themselves and not have the "sky's the limit" attitude. While other races are taught they can become lawyers, doctors, entrepreneurs, presidents... Black folks are taught and raised to punch a clock, work for the man, and in most cases for minimum wage and less than what we work so hard for. Reminds you of slavery days on the fields in some sorts, right? I say all this to say, while we have come a long way, we as Black people still are nowhere close to where we could be as far as equality and what we rightfully deserve and are owed. To other races, Juneteenth is just another day. It's a waste. It's not a real holiday. I expect those who have never dealt with inequality, wrongdoing, and being oppressed for many years, decades, centuries to feel that way. Me being a Black African American man with great Black African American ancestors and families who have fought blood, sweat, and tears just for us to be equal to the rest of the races of people across the world. For the fight to just be treated fairly and have equal rights. Juneteenth means the world to me. This is OUR day, Black African Americans across the world! Happy Juneteenth! Love, Quincy Murdock.

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