Dutch Lock Down Day Ninety Six

[This is Juneteenth]

Packet gave all of its employees in the entire world today off.

For Juneteenth.

Haven’t heard of it?

Neither had I.

But first the news:

• One person at Dam demo has Covid-19, Dordrecht cluster due to faulty tests
• BUSINESSES PULL SPONSORSHIP FROM VERONICA INSIDE OVER HOST’S RACIST REMARKS
• How diverse are Dutch art museums?

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.  Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19^th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. Note that this was two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation – which had become official January 1, 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation had little impact on the Texans due to the minimal number of Union troops to enforce the new Executive Order. However, with the surrender of General Lee in April of 1865, and the arrival of General Granger’s regiment, the forces were finally strong enough to influence and overcome the resistance.

https://www.juneteenth.com/history.htm

I thought I’d have very little opportunity to observe / celebrate / reflect – there’s not a lot of recognition or celebration here in the Netherlands.

But.

This morning I saw this tweet:

✊? #JuneteenthConf will be happening this Fri&Sat!
✊? Schedule is now published: https://t.co/PQ2b50cU06
✊? Amplifying Black Voices in Tech
? June 19-20 9AM-3PM PST ? 6PM-12AM CEST pic.twitter.com/wzfAoMbsR4

— Suzanne Daniels (@suushier) June 17, 2020

There is a CONFERENCE around JUNETEENTH?!?

I’m SO there.

Holding a conference to celebrate Juneteenth was the brainchild of Michael Brown. Taking a day of reflection on his anniversary at Microsoft, he was frustrated that the commemoration of this moment coincided with the turmoil in the country as Black people are joined by other witnesses and supporters around the world in support of the simple but powerful message: #BlackLivesMatter. On reflection he observed that this convergence of moments, this celebration of a personal milestone along with a greater movement to go forward was an opportunity. When former slaves celebrated the first Juneteenth anniversary, they knew there was more to do, but they celebrated anyway.

https://www.juneteenthconf.com/juneteenth.html

How did you celebrate, Warriors?