Juneteenth Journey

That day when legal slavery ended A brief moment when justice seemed palpable marked only the first chapter of caped cross burners and rageful lynch mobs marked only the beginning of white terror against black dignity Equal justice under law That day when the sky opened A brief glimmer when freedom seemed possible stained only by the blood of generations oppressed bruised only by the brutality of the state against these people of color Equal justice under law That day when a people were proclaimed A brief interlude when equality seemed attainable marred only by marginalization and segregation scarred only by white supremacy and white dominance against these struggling people Equal justice under law Someday when a people get their due An arcing rainbow when liberation is realizable helped only by abandonment of white privilege aided only by respect and compassion for these people Equal justice under law