Juneteenth, Part 1

Juneteenth is all over the news, as well it should be. This Friday, June 19, will mark the 155th anniversary of the holiday commemorating the final emancipation of slaves in the United States. It is celebrated widely as Independence Day for African-Americans and their friends, and also as an observance of freedom from tyranny.

June also marks a great American tragedy. Over the course of two days, May 31 to June 1, 1921, a white mob invaded the black section of Tulsa, Oklahoma, burning virtually all buildings in the area and killing an unknown number of African-Americans (estimates range as high as 300). It remains the worst example of race violence in this country's history.

The weekend of this Juneteenth is likely to be the date on which America's past and present collide disastrously. Black freedom will have been celebrated on Friday, and the Tulsa massacre anniversary will still be in many minds when the Racist-in-Chief comes to town to hold one of his Hitleresque rallies.

The original schedule had the rally on the 19th, but Trump, mirabile dictu, actually listened to someone and had it moved to the 20th. Does it really matter? There will be protests. How could there not be? An openly racist politician is coming to a city on the heels of a massive celebration for people of color, and where not quite a century ago hundreds of black people were killed by a raging mob of whites.

Everyone within driving distance who has a social conscience should turn out to protest the Unspeakable One's insensitivity and blatant racism. Be careful. Given the tendency of Trump's rallies to draw right-wing crazies of all types, including the KKK and some armed berserkers, violent clashes are all but guaranteed.

The Trump campaign is estimating as many as 40,000 could attend the rally, twice the capacity of the event venue--although it wouldn't be surprising if that's an inflated number. There has been some suggestion of going to an outdoor venue for the overflow, but if the projected forecast of 92 degrees with a 97-degree heat index and possibility of thunderstorms holds, the weather could cause a disaster of its own.

The Tulsa police are an unknown factor. Earlier this month Tulsa Police Chief Travis Yates said, "All of the research says we're shooting African-Americans about 24% less than we probably ought to be, based on the crimes being committed."¹ That might say something about what to expect.

Tomorrow: COVID-19 goes to a rally.


--- Diogenes, 6/16/2020



¹ Tulsa Public Radio: https://www.publicradiotulsa.org/post/tpd-major-police-shoot-black-americans-less-we-probably-ought