From Artist Carole J. McCoy
Juneteenth was always observed by me as a celebration of a journey of overcoming, cultural achievements and contributions as a daughter of the African American Diaospra, and a moment of reflection in gratitude of those who sacrificed so that I, can have my freedoms post slavery.
In 2020, during a worldwide lockdown, we became collective witnesses to a most haneous act of violence on film, of the death of George Floyd, by an officer who dismissed his humanity. Only a few weeks before June 19, Freedom Day.
Somehow, I didn’t feel so free, with this haunting feeling of healthy survival fear, I have had to tap into, reminding me to never get too comfortable, in my sense of belonging.
Shook, shaken, my only way for me to deal, was first to remind by brothers, nephews, and brotha’ friends in my life to be careful, because of the political climate.
I had to paint. Who am I as an African American in America? The colors of Pan Africanism vs Our red, white, and blue? No, I belong here, and my ancestors’ blood and labor shall not be in vain!
So it came to me, a banner of declaration as art.
I combined all the colors, in a pattern of 🟥⬛️🟩 🟨 🟥⬜️🟦 , with yellow juxtaposed in the center, encased in a sculptural relief of metal silver -horizons, where both symbolic sets of color is *hope*, continuum.
I instinctively made the pattern of colors in centripetal form.
~ It represents a political-national shifting, a force expressing a powerful movement of unity.
A friend I shared its progression with, said it reminded him of, “Optimistic,” a gospel anthem by the award-winning Sounds Of Blackness.
Today four years later, there are still devolutional agendas that may challenge our equity in progress. When I advocate for my rights, it is also my fight for all, who have been marginalized by hate.
I hope that everyone celebrates Juneteenth as a holiday for all, by appreciating the culture, beauty, and resilience of being inclusive, as one.
Name of painting ‘My African American Hopeness In America” – 14 x48 Acrylic on canvas, Metallic flakes
Artist Carole J McCoy, multidisciplinary visual artist, artivist (arts advocate).
Art Link: 🔗 https://www.instagram.com/artistcarolejmccoy
Source: Wikipedia
Juneteenth is a federal holiday. The first time it was celebrated was June 19, 1866, years after President Lincoln announced the Emancipation Proclamation in 1862, going into effect January 1, 1863, ending slavery.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juneteenth
President Biden signed Juneteenth into law as a national federal holiday on June 18, 2021, with Vice President Harris, and the Mother Of Juneteenth, activist Opal Lee on hand.