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Poem by Robert Gibbons (with permission)
a short thought for the black inventor of baby buggy
(for WH Richardson)
I guess you remember him
if you ever had to carry a baby
a bundle of joy
wrapped in swallowing clothes
but he gave you a choice
to either carry or buggy
to hold or tug them along
through the whining streets
little feet lifted in air
like a prayer
if you have one
call his name
racing through the streets
with wheels and then
peel back the layers
of history, remember
his name
Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.
Today Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. It is a day, a week, and in some areas a month marked with celebrations, guest speakers, picnics and family gatherings. It is a time for reflection and rejoicing. It is a time for assessment, self-improvement and for planning the future. Its growing popularity signifies a level of maturity and dignity in America long over due. In cities across the country, people of all races, nationalities and religions are joining hands to truthfully acknowledge a period in our history that shaped and continues to influence our society today. Sensitized to the conditions and experiences of others, only then can we make significant and lasting improvements in our society.
The baby buggy is an invention, an application of Newtonian mechanics for the greater common good. Since xenophobic, knuckle-dragging Neanderthals tend to sadly procreate, this information should cause some consternation and epic episodes of Cognitive Dissonance. Que trolls: 3...2...1...
It's also the birthdays of my favorite Civil Rights hero Mamie Goodwin-Douglas (sister), who put her life on the line many times for the world we take for granted, and my father Robert Harrison Goodwin (June 19, 1925 - August 26, 1999), a man who knew service (USN); boxing and hardship, facing indignities with dignity. One the fourth occasion his employer deemed him worthy of going to supervisory school only to (again) train his next Caucasian manager, he quietly retorted: "I expect I'll retire now." Since Pop had the time, they couldn't argue. He spent the remainder of his days before the lung cancer in reasonably good health working in his vegetable garden - doing exactly what he wanted to do. He is still missed.
Official site: Juneteenth.com
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