I wanted to take a moment to honor the Juneteenth Holiday today. Juneteenth commemorates the day, June 19, 1865, when a Union General read aloud, in Texas, the orders that all enslaved people were free according to federal law. Being a descendant of slave owners in the South is something I (Ethan) have wrestled with for much of my life. For me, taking time to forgive the horrible errors of my ancestors, grieve for all the lives impacted by slavery, and to honor a more universal concept of humanity are important. I am reminded of the ancient African word, 'Ubuntu.' Ubuntu, roughly translated, means "I am who I am because of who we all are.' It is a belief in the universal bond of sharing that connects all of humanity, regardless of skin color, culture, religion, etc. We are all, human and more than human, interconnected. Given the number of atrocities going on in the world at present, I think all people would benefit from living into the worldview of Ubuntu. I certainly believe this way of being is what Desmond Tutu meant when he said, "My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together."
I am blessed to be human, together, with all of you! Happy Juneteenth!
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