In the midst of voter suppression, threats to our democracy and deep divisions in our country, I was encouraged when I experienced choirs singing "Lift Every Voice and Sing" (known as the black national anthem) during the fireworks display in NYC and Washington D.C. It signaled hope in the midst of suffering, and inclusion of oppressed people. We must continue to work on this democracy.
Today, July 1, is Canada Day (fete du Canada). This national day celebrate the anniversary of Canadian Confederation July 1, 1867. When living in Detroit we and Windsor, Ontario, across the river, would celebrate July - July 4 together with fireworks over the river. We watched from Gethsemane church tower.
July 1 is Day of Freedom in the Netherlands (Dag der Vrijheden). It marks the day when slavery was legally abolished in the Dutch colonies in 1863. However, enslaved people in Surname and the Dutch Antilles would not be fully free until 1873 after a mandatory 10-year transition period during which time slaves were required to work on the plantations. I and my friend, Duncan, originally from Suriname, now a religious educator in the Hague, recently talked about the delay in freedom for Dutch slaves and the delay of full emancipation in the United States (Juneteenth).
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