Page 17 - BWL PipelineAprMayJun2020

DE&I HOSTS LIVE DISCUSSIONS
We’ve been going through some pretty tough times in 2020. The DE&I Committee hosted virtual lunch and happy hour DE&I Talks sessions! The live and open discussions connected diverse perspectives on current events, including protests, the murder of George Floyd, COVID-19, the Supreme Court’s expanding of LGBTQ rights, life during remote work, and maintaining and building relationships while isolated among others.
JUNETEENTH: THE CELEBRATION OF FREEDOM
by Anthony Green
Juneteenth (also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day and Liberation Day) is a holiday celebrated annually on June 19 to commemorate the proclamation that all slaves of Texas were free. Although the Emancipation Proclamation had formally freed them almost two and a half years earlier, Texas enforcement
of the proclamation was
slow, inconsistent and almost nonexistent. Juneteenth is essentially celebrating the ending of all slavery in the U.S.
Juneteenth is recognized as a special day of observance in 47
of the 50 U.S. states. Cultural traditions include public readings of the Emancipation Proclamation, singing traditional African American spiritual songs, reading of works by noted African- American writers, and other celebrations such as cook-outs, family reunions, park parties and historical reenactments.
Every year, BWL is proud to sponsor Lansing’s Juneteenth celebration, including General Manager Dick Peffley riding
in the parade. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, this year’s celebration was canceled, but we’re looking forward to participating again next year.
As many celebrate the joyous occasion of “Juneteenth,” we’re still witnessing nationwide protests and rallies focusing
on racism and police brutality. In honor of Juneteenth, I hope we can all acknowledge that Black lives matter and that ALL people should be treated humanely and equally. Dr. Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. said “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere... In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”
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