Monday's Opening Thought: June 19, 2022

This week’s opening thought: I’m posting this week’s opening thought this evening because tomorrow is the federally recognized Juneteenth which, for those not in the know, is a federal holiday in the United States (note: Juneteenth is technically today, June 19, but the U.S. and western culture love their bank holidays, so c’est la vie). I’ve got some pro wrestling to catch up on and some writing I want to dive into. As a Black person, a Black cis queer man, I’m taking tomorrow off from posting about and discussing the byproducts of this country’s original sins. I’m privileged to have tomorrow off to observe some of the rights and privileges that Black people have yet also have to continue fighting for in this country. I will use that privilege to rest and care for myself, so I can be present and charged for the many battles ahead. That’s my self-care. The truth is, my people deserve this day off. But if you’re white and privileged enough to be off tomorrow?

It’s not your day off.

You’ve got a lot of work to do, white people. You better spend tomorrow reflecting, learning, and educating yourself and the young white minds in your life. You should be thinking about how you can be a better co-worker, neighbor, and community member. Tomorrow is a great day for you to mull over how to be actionable and call in or call out those white people in your life and community causing harm to Black bodies. If you’re privileged enough to do so, you should be donating your time and/or money to Black causes and the Black communities in your city. Why?

Because it’s not your day off.

If you’re a white person, you have no reason to “celebrate” Juneteenth. What the Hell are you celebrating? “The contributions of Black people?” “The history of Black achievements in the United States?” You realize those contributions and impacts happened despite your ancestors and the systems you still benefit from every day, right? Y’all do realize that you perpetuate those oppressive states by not stepping up and breaking the cycles of white generational trauma connected to colonialism and white supremacy, don’t you? With all that said, what makes you think Juneteenth is something you get to celebrate? What are you celebrating even? Chattel slavery? Colonialism? White supremacy? Anti-Blackness? Do you believe white people deserve tomorrow off with the ways most of you consciously and unconsciously practice anti-Blackness at work, at home, and in the communities you live in?

It’s not your day off, white people. It’s tasteless for you to treat it as such.

Better get to sleep early tonight so you can get to work bright and early tomorrow.