Today is Saturday June 17. Rochester, NY celebrates Juneteenth on Saturday, June 17. There are many activities celebrating Juneteenth (see below in Events). Sunday is Father’s Day. Nationally we celebrate Juneteenth on Monday, June 19. Juneteenth is the day that commemorates when the last African Americans learned of the Emancipation Proclamation (over two years after it was originally issued).
Quote of the Week:
“Juneteenth has never been a celebration of victory or an acceptance of the way things are. It’s a celebration of progress. It’s an affirmation that despite the most painful parts of our history, change is possible – and there is still so much work to do…”, Barack O’Bama, 44th President of the United States from 2009 – 2017, born August 4, 1961 – Present.
Who was Barack O’Bama? See information below.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Barack-Obama
Events:
Here is what is going on in the Rochester area:
1. Juneteenth in Rochester is celebrated on Saturday, June 17th and Monday, June 19th (the official date).
a. The City of Rochester’s Juneteenth Festival begins on Saturday, June 17th with a parade starting 10:00 AM at Chestnut and Court Street and ends at the Strong National Museum of Play.
b. The Strong National Museum of Play offers free admission on Saturday, June 17th.
c. There will be a festival following the parade at the MLK Jr. Memorial Park following the parade featuring Hi[-hop recording artice Lil’ Mo and the festival will highlight black businesses and other activities.
d. Juneteenth at the Rochester Museum & Science Center is celebrated on Saturday, June 17th:
https://rmsc.org/events/juneteenth/
e. Bill Wynne shares information on two Juneteenth events at Genesee Valley Park (see below) on Monday, June 19th.
Red Green Yellow Color Block Greetings/Slogans Poster (windows.net)
2. George Yeadon shares information on a file on Wednesday, June 21st, 6:30 PM at the Little Theatre, “African Redemption: The Life and Legacy of Marcus Garvey”.
3. John Ramerman suggests that we place the Urban League’s annual Interrupt Racism Symposium on our calendar for September 19 & 20, 2023. See below:
NEWS, HISTORY & RESOURCES:
4. We repeat the information Melanie shared last week on a free book download recently released, A Kids Book About Juneteenth. These books are written in simple terms so while their great conversation starters for kids, they are great for adults too! The download also has an activity page and a discussion guide to enhance learning.
5. Stuart shared this article with the history of Juneteenth as well as information on how Memphis will be celebrating Juneteenth this year that may provide ideas for Rochester’s future plans for the holiday.
https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/historical-legacy-juneteenth
6. Here is a “must view” short film by the Anti-Racism Curriculum Project titled “Home: Access Denied”. This film is about the history and legacy of residential segregation in Greater Rochester and the ways ordinary people are participating in civic action to create a more welcoming, just, and inclusive community. Thank you, Bill and Stuart for sharing.
https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/eZkLCOY9ZxCAvrv2UEhvXi?domain=resistancemapping.org
7. Richard shared this article that documents the drop in support for the Black Lives Matter movement. We are experiencing this with the ERG program. We will work to create support for anti-racism efforts.
1 big thing: Waning support for Black Lives Matter
https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-pm-44561b0b-ebbd-4b27-8f5c-9d5c78b76de7.html?chunk=0&utm_term=emshare#story0
8. One article is provided below from this week’s Beacon;
a. Monroe County has new policy for juvenile offenses (some national data does not support the policy goals, is the policy needed?)
9. We are sharing just 1 item from the latest edition of the CNN Newsletter Race Deconstructed this week (there are 2 more, go to racedeconstructed@newsletters.cnn.com):
a. Starbucks manager receives $25+ million jury verdict (was this outcome the result of Starbucks yielding to “political correctness”?).
https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/14/business/starbucks-manager-racial-discrimination/index.html
10. A NY Times article reviewing the outcome of DOJ concent decrees with many U.S. city police departments. Have they brought about reform?
11. Here are 7 of articles that deal with Race, Hate or Intolerance found in this past week’s D&C. We list in order of appearance:
a. RPD COPS WHO PEPPER-SPRAYED 9-YEAR OLD WERE CLEARED (There was no room for even an apology?)
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=468943725_134abf7
b. Reparations campaigns for Black Americans get funding boost (Is a piecemeal approach to reparations overall helpful? Would you support some form of reparations?).
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=2fa36f603_134abf7
c. Jimmy Carter and King family formed enduring bond (Northern smugness may be surprised to learn a Southern landholder/farmer would have a deep closeness or bond as described in this article)
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=1b150cdd2_134abf7
d. How would Clean Slate Act work? (Do you support this legislation? How much of a penalty is enough to make one “clean”?).
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=1bd2046c1_134abfa
e. Republicans aim to cut budget for University of Wisconsin (after 100’s of years of slavery and 100+ more of discrimination and injustice isn’t there some need for DEI efforts?)
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=1931c3a53_134abfa
f. Rochester PAB may see funding cut (Many supported the PAB but didn’t we have expectation of results? Were those expectations realistic and reasonable?),
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=0845e1514_134abfc
g. Walker’s family sues officers, city (This article and the NY Times article above on police department consent decrees raises the question has there been any improvement in policing policy since the murder of George Floyd?).
https://rochesterdemocrat-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=04f124077_134abfd
OPPORTUNITIES:
12. Please share any opportunities for employment, assistance, grants, etc. that you are aware of with the community by sending them to “tcmitch1951@gmail.com”.
SUPPORT BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES:
13. Support the Black Community by supporting their businesses. Please share Black businesses you support and value. A good resource is “Black Owned in Rochester”
Black Owned Businesses Rochester NY Black-Owned In Rochester (blackownedinrochester.com)
a. Looking for a new auto repair shop? Check out Jayis Mobile Auto Repair.
https://jayismobileautorepairs.biz/
That is all for this week!
If you have an item to include in the week’s sharing we need to have it by noon Friday.