In today's society, black people account for several inventions, milestones, and achievements---not to mention, words, slang, and phrases which have been used for hundreds and thousands of years to present day with little or no understanding of their origins. In fact, two phrases we use or hear almost everyday were insprired by black people several years ago on a day now known as Juneteenth.
Juneteenth is the oldest celebration of the ending of slavery, dating back to 1865 on June nineteenth. On that day, Union soldiers landed in Galveston, Texas, to spread news that the war had ended and all slaves were now free. The news came two and half years after President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, which had become official January 1, 1863.
"When I rode my horse into Galveston, I delivered grand news to the Negro people," proclaimed Major General Gordan Granger. "As the Negro people gathered, I yelled 'FREEDOM! You are FREE! Free people by Lincoln and his Emancipation Proclamation! FREEDOM!"
The word 'freedom' echoed through the crowd. As the word reached the ears and hearts of the slaves in Galveston, some fell on their knees in prayer while others began to dance and sing. Years of slavery had come to an end, giving birth to a new day and a new life.
Excitement filled the air with the sounds of laughter, crying, and singing of old spirituals throughout the crowd of the newly free men and women. Finally, all prayers to end inequality and injustice were answered and freedom was now a reality.
Granger continued: "REJOICE FOR FREEDOM IS YOURS....which by the way happened, well, just about, well, two and a half years ago, but....well, something just came up, and well better late than never, Negroes. REJOICE!! FREEDOM!!"
Complete silence met Granger's last words. All clapping, cheering, praising, and singing came to an abrupt end. Scrappy Johnson, who had spent his last years hoeing weeds in the Texas sun, walked toward the smiling general. "Excuse me," asked Johnson, making his way through the crowd. "Excuse me, but did your white ass just say two and a half years ago and better late than never?? Excuse me? Better late than never my ass, bitch! And who you calling 'Negroes' bitch?"
Granger later admitted the next hours were much of a blur as he suddenly felt 2,439 hands pull him from his saddle, violently slamming him to the hard ground. Granger's horse followed. Granger noted in his journals the two and a half hours provided a lifetime of nightmares and sleepless nights. The pain, he recalls, was excruciating. The beating he and his horse endured that day was unlike any pain and suffering he had experienced during any Civil War battle. Granger was beaten with switches, extension cords, house shoes, whips, chains, radiator belts, water hoses, rocks and stones. Several times, his mouth was punch shut as he attempted to explain his tardiness.
Truth of the matter was Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation had little immediate impact on Texas due to the minimal number of Union troops to enforce the order. Finally, with the surrender of General Lee in April 1865, and the arrival of Granger's regiment, the forces were finally strong enough to overcome the resistance and execute the Proclamation.
Still the beating continued. "Bitch, you could have sent a postcard or passed a note or something! Two damn years? Oh no. And, in this hot ass Texas heat?Oh hell to the no, fool! You white people be trippin'! Better late than never, my ass!"
Eventually Granger and his horse managed to free themselves from the beatings as he mumbled an explanation to the enraged crowd. His words seemed to fall upon deaf ears as the mass again surrounded Granger for another beating. Finally, Granger pleaded "Don't kill the messenger!" Slowly a calmness fell about the scene.
"My apologies for the late news, my fine.....colored friends of African American heritage," moaned Granger. "You are all now free men and women. Please don't hit me or my horse again. I can no longer feel my lower extremities and painfully I believe I know the whereabouts of someone's left Timberland boot. Size 12. Now, do any of your fine, um, colored people have a first aid kit or Tylenol? Again, my apologies for the tardiness which resulted in extra unpaid work over the past two years, but today, this nineteenth of June, you are all free!"
Later that evening the joyful people of Galveston celebrated by kicking off the first annual Juneteenth bar-b-que featuring ribs, pork chops, and Earl Cambell sausage. General Granger, who was temporarily unable to eat solid foods, was forgiven and extended an invite to the festivities. He chuckled and moaned in delight as the phrases were re-told and met with laughter. Although, a white man initially uttered better late than never and don't kill the messenger, recognition is given to the black people of Galveston for introducing the phrases to today's culture due to their continued enjoyment when using the phrases over the years.
Today, every June nineteenth in Texas, African Americans continue to celebrate the historical day of freedom known as Juneteenth. Due to CPT, Colored People Time, some events may begin later than scheduled but, as we have all come to know, it is always better later than never.
This is a Moment in Black History.
"You can turn painful situations around through laughter. If you can find humor in anything, even poverty, you can survive it."
Bill Cosby
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