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Juneteenth

Juneteenth… Justifiably they say ignorance is bliss. No, it’s nothing to be proud of. Ultimately unaware and unfamiliar, living in Canada I had no clue about racism. Naïve with never more than a glimpse of references seen on bits of night time television. Epitomizing the slavery era, aired the much acclaimed tv series ROOTS much to my chagrin. Truthfully it was the last coup de grace, the last nail in the coffin of my innocence. Evil had a face and victims the likes of my idol Sammy Davis Jr who sang The Candy Man. Embittered? Supposedly not with his debonair charm, yet what of all my Motown idols? No further than in my lifetime, discrimination and bigotry, the need for a Juneteenth. Traditional celebrations commemorating the thirst for freedom of emancipated ancestors. Heads of parades waiving a Juneteenth Flag of Freedom while sipping a Strawberry soda pop. AP: Honorable Mention 2020 Submitted on June 15, 2018 for contest JUNETEENTH POETRY sponsored by EDWARD IBEH - RANKED 3RD

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Susan Gentry

Date: 7/16/2018 10:25:00 PM

Back to congratulate you on your win. Well done.

Line Gauthier
Date: 7/17/2018 5:27:00 AM

Thanks, Susan. Most appreciated.

Gregory Richard Barden

Date: 7/16/2018 12:28:00 AM

Congratulations and best wishes for your win with this wonderful Acrostic, Line - blessings and keep up the great work! :-) <3

Line Gauthier
Date: 7/16/2018 7:57:00 AM

Thanks, Gregory. Most appreciated.

Edward Ibeh

Date: 7/15/2018 3:40:00 PM

Thank you so much for entering my debut contest, Line!:-) Nicely done! It's quite refreshing to get a unique perspective on this. Congratulations on your win!

Line Gauthier
Date: 7/16/2018 7:58:00 AM

Thank you so much, Edward. I'm embarrassed to say it was a bittersweet learning experience for me (more bitter than sweet), living up here in Canada. But enjoyed the contest.

Susan Gentry

Date: 7/13/2018 12:10:00 AM

I can relate to a lot of this. Interesting poem. Of course, I assume other countries have their day that slavery was finally abolished too. June 19, 1865 is America's.

Line Gauthier
Date: 7/13/2018 8:51:00 AM

It makes me sick to realize that it was not that long ago.

Eve Roper

Date: 7/5/2018 2:16:00 AM

Nicely done, Line,, good luck in the contest...

Line Gauthier
Date: 7/5/2018 5:48:00 AM

Thank you, Eve. Much appreciated.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 6/16/2018 11:21:00 AM

Oh LIne, is JUneteenth really a THING?? I thought the guy was just being clever with his poem title. Now it is sounding like this is some kind of a Canadian event??? WEll done, though I have no clue what the contest means now!!

Line Gauthier
Date: 6/16/2018 1:31:00 PM

I had no clue until a little google search, and sure enough... it is a real thing indeed. An American 'celebration' of a very dark and shameful period of their history that I find most disturbing.