Juneteenth and Father’s Day
Third week of June
A double celebration
Of fathers we know
And those liberated
Spring of 2024 / Dressed up for Easter / With nature’s rebirth / A calm before the storm / In an election year / Like none other.
Driving while Black/Shopping while Black/Realities of being Black.
An elephant in the classroom / Unheard voices from slavery / So essential to understanding / How past is prelude / To inequities we now see.
Doors open wide / To horizon’s illusions / Of noble ideals / “Independence,” equality,” / “Freedom,” and “justice”
Juneteenth and Father’s Day
Third week of June
A double celebration
Of fathers we know
And those liberated
Over a hundred years ago
On Juneteenth
Marking the end of slavery
When men were encouraged
To breed
And not be fathers
In the paternal sense
Of nurturing a child
A form of fatherhood
Not to be celebrated
But remembered
On Juneteenth
As inspirational for all
Denied reciprocal love
Between father and child
