Posts
Before I launch into my regular blog post I have business items.
First, Thank you Carol of Beyond Literacy for such a thoughtful Poetry Swap. I squealed with delight as I opened it for a few reasons. The poems are original, personal and some are from Carol's famous galleries. I love the care she put into making a personalized chap book!
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| Beautiful hand-crafted chap book from Carol Varsalona -- Poem Swap 2020 |
I am in the process of leaving facebook. I've wanted to leave for a while....and I'd like to stay off until at least after the election if not permanently. I followed the advice of this article: 5 Steps to Leave Facebook the Right Way.
You will notice that I have unfriended every single contact. This is not personal. I'm not ticked off with anyone...it's just that fb needs my information (including who my contacts are)more than I need it and, I need a break! I'm thinking about ways of staying in touch with folks after facebook. Stay tuned.
And, for the feature of today's post, JUNETEENTH!
Virginia just made Juneteenth an official state holiday. This is a major move for the former Confederate Capital. I am thrilled with this and many other culturally responsive changes in Virginia to #BlackLivesMatter.
Simply put, Juneteenth is the day in 1865 that the Union Army freed slaves in the western most part of the former confederacy. Until the Army announced that slaves had been freed earlier, by the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation, slaves were not informed of their freedom.
Juneteenth has been celebrated ever since.
Except, I had never heard of Juneteenth in my kindergarten through post graduate schooling. It was well into adulthood that I heard the word, Juneteenth.
This week, singer Pharell Williams stood with Governor Ralph Northam to announce the establishment of the holiday.
I took words from the article below to create a found poem.
This is What Listening Looks Like
...you see those stars moving up there, know that those stars are our African
ancestors dancing... Pharrell Williams 6/16/20
Reflecting on a conversation
that black lives matter
finally being acknowledged
amid ongoing nationwide
protests over racial injustice
deeply rooted in the fabric of Virginia--
We embrace dancing in solidarity with
African American brothers and sisters
moving forward
to a high standard
a better future.
When we say Juneteenth
it is our chance to declare
a celebration of freedom.
words found by Linda Mitchell
Thank you to today'sPoetry Friday host
Linda, first of all your opening paragraph gave me such a joyful feeling. Thank you for the shoutout. Secondly, I did not know the background matter of Juneteenth so I am happy that you shared it with such a tribute poem. This lines matter:
ReplyDeleteWe embrace dancing in solidarity with
African American brothers and sisters
moving forward
to a high standard
a better future.
We need to celebrate on this new day of opening our hearts to all.
Several of us are on a found poetry wavelength this week - love that! Good luck with the disentanglement from Facebook. And thanks for your thoughtful poem gleaned from Pharrell Williams's thoughtful remarks.
ReplyDeleteI am embarrassed that I, too, didn't learn about Juneteenth until adulthood. I have been fooled into thinking I am anti-racist. So much work yet to be done. Your found poem is just right. Declarative and embracing celebration and hope. Thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteA post of celebration all around - of friends, of poetry, of human freedom, of a higher standard and a better future. Powerfully captured and conveyed.
ReplyDeleteThough I have read a lot as an adult about slavery and injustice in America and seen how it prejudice works in America, especially in health care, I was taught nothing about it growing up from teachers or my parents. Congratulations to Virginia for moving forward. Your poem is a wonderful celebration.
ReplyDeleteYippee for Virginia! Your state has come a long way and your found poem hits the mark of this long overdue holiday declaration. I am "dancing in solidarity" from afar. (As an interesting aside, we almost moved to Virginia 3 years ago. My husband got a job offer in Richmond and one here in Switzerland. We chose Switzerland, but I think Virginia would have been a good move. Maybe in our future? :)
ReplyDeleteI also watched that special briefing with Gov Northam, Pharrell, and other special guests and was happy to hear Juneteenth is now a state holiday! Love your rousing found poem too.
ReplyDeleteI've been grappling with the FB thing too. Such a double edged sword -- the need to stay connected and informed vs. being bombarded with TOO MUCH upsetting stuff. I wish wish wish Zuckerberg would bar political ads from the platform. I imagine things will get worse this fall with so much disinformation. And you really have to wonder what FB is doing with all our personal info. Scruples go out the window when money is involved. . .
Hurrah for Virginia and Governor Northam and Pharrell. Our Colorado governor has already done much about the police and a few other changes, but not this. I had never heard of Juneteenth until moving here to Denver, where it has been celebrated for a long time in a festival each year. I love your own celebration in the found poem, Linda. What a terrific idea to capture the joy of this announcement.
ReplyDeleteLinda, I am with you in thinking of leaving FB. If I do, I'll miss out on so many friends and family updates. It's a tough decision. Your found poem is very touching, and you've capture the mood of the day!
ReplyDeleteI've really enjoyed two threads in this week's PF - found poems and learning about Juneteenth - so I love that you've bought both together here in such a touching poem.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful found poem, Linda! And wow to Carol's SPS gift to you. You all blow me away — I felt wholly inadequate re. my SPS offerings last summer! (Or was it the summer before? Time is a blur. Yes, I think it was 2018.) :) Anyway, beautiful and meaningful stuff all around. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYay for your powerful found poem Linda! And Yay for Governor Ralph Northam and Pharell Williams (a favorite singer of mine) to ring in Juneteeth as a holiday for Virginia–that's change, thanks!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great title, Linda! Your post and found poem are full of hope and promise, exactly what I needed to start my day. Thank you!
ReplyDelete