Welcome to Friday,
Today is Juneteenth, the date marking the effective ending of slavery in the United States. Remembering the failures and lessons of the past are our only defense to keep from making them in the future. Though I’ve been been familiar with the date’s significance for many years, I only learned recently that this declaration took place in Texas. Texas, my home state, where I lived for over twenty years, seven of which were spent in Texas public schools. Yet, somehow, Juneteenth and its significance, despite being part of Texas history, were never taught. How can so much history be swept aside?
If there is one thing the US is waking up to in this moment, it’s that each of us must do the work of coming to terms with the inconvenient truths of history. Part of that work is choosing to learn, and put current events in historical context. We must choose education – choose to grow – precisely when doing so is uncomfortable. As Frederick Douglass said, “Education means emancipation. It means light and liberty. It means the uplifting of the soul of man into the glorious light of truth, the light by which men can only be made free.” Douglass, who taught himself to read and write after escaping slavery, went on to become a prominent speaker and author on emancipation and equality. Education is how we break the chains of the past. Let the example of Douglass inspire you to dive into your own education this weekend.
Housekeeping – I am in this month’s issue of The Old Schoolhouse magazine, talking about my experience and education as a homeschooler.
Links I’ll be exploring this weekend:
The British Museum on Ancient Egypt’s black goo.
This article on traits to develop included the beautiful concept of “uncomfortable, but not dangerous.”
The work and influence of architect Paul Revere Williams.
The man who brought down the Roman empire.
Robert Louis Stevenson on being stuck.
Currently Reading: Lord of the Flies by William Golding
Have a beautiful weekend.
