melissatwa's Journal, 19 June 2020

Oh I do, Bill! The number one hardest part about the restrictions for me is being unable to host their student gatherings in my home. I do get text messages to "mother, mom, mama" from different ones, but I wish they could just be here! ❤️  

I’m making the greens ( my job for 40 years of ‘Teenth pot lucks/ picnics...👩🏽‍🍳😁✌🏽 

♥️♥️♥️ 

Oh that is awesome, CMC!!! That is so super!! 40 years??!! You must know how to make some great greens! I want some!! 😁 ❤️ 

I didn't know the US had a special celebration -with get-togethers and all that- for the ending of slavery, although it is absolutely logical that it does. Maybe my ignorance stems from the fact that most of what we in Spain know from US culture is what we see in the movies, which most often show the 4th of July, Thanksgiving, and Halloween. BTW: what are "the greens"? :-) 

Hey, Eva! Well... This is not a national holiday nor widely celebrated in many communities to my knowledge. More and more people are recognizing the need to even very solemnly "celebrate." Just recently, New York City had it delared a holiday, and the whole state is moving that direction to join others. As for the "greens," I am from the far northwest corner of the States. There are so many traditionally southern dishes I have never had. Greens is one of them! I want to try CMC's maybe next year! We have met and she lives a pretty short distance from. Me!  

Thanks Melissa, I'm a decedent of slaves and I was not aware of Juneteenth and was not aware of the importance of June 19th in American history until I was a grown man. We were not taught about it in schools. I live in Richmond, Virginia the ex capital of the confederacy. We have a street named Monument Avenue and many statues of confederate military that were erected during the Jim Crow era are finally coming down. I'm encouraged that America is acknowledging it's true history as we continue to build a more perfect union...  

Melissa, I am certain they missing you too. ❤ You're awesome!  

Oh, not a National holiday? It would make sense that it was, as seen from overseas. If you get to taste CMC’s greens, I want a photo! 😋🥰 

Thank you so much, John, for sharing. My education was incredibly poor on anything related to black history. Sadly, it was pretty much nonexistent. That has changed as a result of my kids teaching me and self education. "Our kids" from Africa, who are internation students and see our home as their second home and call me "mom," have made the issues they face also more personal to us. We pray for lasting awareness and continuing change. 

Oh, Becc, I think so. Hopefully we can at least start having outdoor bbqs. Eva, I agree! ❤️ 

I am really glad June 19th is getting more attention. I was a history major in college and always wondered why Juneteenth did not get more attention. Yes, let us continue to work toward a more perfect union.