Matthew Williams’ Post

As Memorial Day approaches, let us pause to reflect on the profound significance of this solemn holiday. As we gather with loved ones, let us remember and honor the valor of those who have served our nation, sacrificing their lives in the name of freedom and justice. Originating as Decoration Day after the Civil War, this day holds deep historical roots. It was born amidst a nation torn apart by conflict and loss, yet a tradition of remembrance and reverence emerged from that turmoil. Many may not know that the first organized commemoration of fallen American soldiers occurred on May 1, 1865, in Charleston, SC. Organized by resilient Black Americans, this act of homage amidst their struggle for justice and equality exemplifies the courage and honor woven into the tapestry of Black history. As we observe Memorial Day, let us honor the past, celebrate the present, and commit to shaping a brighter future. Let us draw strength from the lessons of history and embrace the spirit of unity and resilience that defines us as a nation. May we strive to build a tomorrow that upholds the values for which so many have bravely fought and sacrificed. Faron Littleton Jada Simpson Wilson Crum Robert F. Smith #Thankyou #For #Sharing #Education #Appreciation #Justice #Equity #Equality #Knowledge

🖋️“Last week, more than 1,000 Black pastors called on President Biden to restrain Israel in its war against Hamas. Some went so far as to identify the Palestinian cause with the Black civil rights movement. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Hamas-Israel war is not a fight for the equality of Palestinians and Israelis, nor is it a fight to establish a Palestinian state on an equal footing with Israel in the international arena. Rather, it is a fight by Hamas to annihilate the Jewish State of Israel, and a fight by Israel for its very survival. Black pastors should be concerned about the rise of antisemitism among younger and more educated blacks. They should stand against what continues to be exposed as a broader agenda of progressive Democrats to maintain power through division…” - 📰 Read more of my latest opinion piece with Newsweek here:

Though the Emancipation Proclamation took effect on “Freedom’s Eve,” or the eve of January 1, 1863, it would not be until June 19th, 1865, when approximately 2,000 Union troops marched down to Galveston Bay, Texas to announce that the more than 250,000 enslaved black people in the state, were free by executive decree. This day came to be known as "Juneteenth," by the newly freed people in Texas. Juneteenth marks our country’s second independence day! The historical legacy of Juneteenth shows the value of never giving up hope in uncertain times. Quote for Reflection: “Of all Emancipation Day observances, Juneteenth falls closest to the summer solstice (this Thursday, June 20), the longest day of the year, when the sun, at its zenith, defies the darkness in every state, including those once shadowed by slavery. By choosing to celebrate the last place in the South that freedom touched — reflecting the mystical glow of history and lore, memory and myth, as Ralph Ellison evoked in his posthumous novel, Juneteenth — we remember the shining promise of emancipation, along with the bloody path America took by delaying it and deferring fulfillment of those simple, unanticipating words in Gen. Granger’s original order No. 3: that ‘This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves.’” - Henry Louis Gates, Jr. #fyp #explorepage #nerdygirlsuccess #changingthelandscapeofleadership #nonprofit #Juneteenth

#USPresidents #BlackAmericanhistory 'US presidents range from very bad to less bad, but none were “good” for Black people – including the first Black one. Ten of the first twelve presidents of the United States were slave holders. This is just one of many historical facts that this columnist discovered while researching and writing "Prejudential: Black America and the Presidents". The newly published book is an exploration of black American history viewed through the prism of the presidency. Presidents appear on our currency, we live in cities named after them and attended schools called Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, Roosevelt or Kennedy. They have their own holiday and are generally lauded as great historical figures. Yet their deeds demonstrate that anti-black racism is foundational to this nation and that our struggle for human rights is never ending. The settler colonial state was an engine for genocide from the beginning. The American revolution was an effort to free the colonists from any limits the British might impose on their plans for conquest. Indigenous people were driven from their lands with violence, disease and displacement. Expanded settlement fortified the plantation economy and created a hell on earth for enslaved people. When the Civil War finally ended chattel slavery, there began a cycle of victories followed by vicious reaction, dashed hopes and betrayals. The process continues until  this day. Despite some of the 45 men being designated as being  “good for black people” there are none that deserve such an attribution. History teaches us to do as Frederick Douglass advised and always agitate, agitate, agitate. Mass movements are the only dependable course of action in this country. Even the political party thought to be more friendly to black people is still an adversary and must be treated as such. It is high time that the sad story of our relationship to the presidency take a transformative turn.'

As we commemorate the International Day for People of African Descent, we also recognize the culmination of the International Decade for People of African Descent. This global initiative, launched by the United Nations, has not only amplified the voices of Black people but has also yielded tangible progress in addressing historical wrongs. The Decade has brought forth meaningful changes: increased global awareness, substantial funding for educational and cultural initiatives, and influential policy shifts aimed at combating systemic racism. Achievements include expanded scholarship opportunities, transformative public art projects, and international dialogues that have shaped policy and inspired action. These concrete outcomes reflect a collective effort to confront and redress the legacies of oppression. America’s Black Holocaust Museum (ABHM) stands in alignment with these global strides. Since the inception of America's Black Holocaust Museum (ABHM), we have been deeply connected to the essence of this day. Our mission, established by our Founder, Dr. James Cameron, and continued by our dedicated staff and supporters, focuses on shedding light on the lasting effects of slavery, the Jim Crow era and an unjust system. We are committed to promoting racial healing, reconciliation, and the ongoing process of repairing historical injustices. Our work in education and public advocacy mirrors the progress achieved through this global initiative. Today, as we honor this day, we acknowledge the strides made and reaffirm our commitment to a more equitable future. The achievements of the International Day and Decade are not mere milestones but a testament to what can be accomplished through dedicated effort. Each of us has a role in continuing this journey, ensuring that our shared history informs a more just world. #OnThisDay #InternationalDayForPeopleOfAfricanDescent #BlackUnity #Repair More info: https://buff.ly/3kyOwmy https://buff.ly/4dOA6sL https://buff.ly/3MsHZrI https://buff.ly/4g3Q57Q https://buff.ly/3X9J6kW

"Juneteenth has never been a celebration of victory or an acceptance of the way things are. Instead, it's a celebration of progress. It's an affirmation that despite the most painful parts of our history, things do get better. America can change." — Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States, Civil Rights Attorney Today, we commemorate Juneteenth, a pivotal moment in American history. On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, heralding the end of slavery, more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation. Last month, while at the Air Force Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy in Montgomery, Alabama, I toured the Legacy Museum, which offered a powerful journey of America's history of racial injustice. The museum is built on the site of a cotton warehouse where enslaved Black people were forced to labor in bondage; the Legacy Museum tells the story of slavery in America and its legacy. The museum was a deeply moving experience. Witnessing a depiction of the full scale of slavery's impact was not just mindblowing but also a stark reminder of the resilience and strength of those who endured it. For example, the volume of human lives lost making the voyage to the United States, the origins of the phrase 'selling down the river,' and the recency of America's civil rights movement. But why is Juneteenth and what it stands for crucial to our nation and armed forces? A diverse force, united in its commitment to equality, not only strengthens our armed forces but also upholds the values we defend, making us a more effective and inclusive military community. Let's take a moment to reflect on our history, celebrate our progress, and recommit ourselves to working towards a better future for all. #Juneteenth #FreedomDay #Emancipation #Progress #Equality #CivilRights #AmericanHistory #DiversityAndInclusion #MilitaryDiversity #HonorAndService

Excited to share my latest Newsweek essay, delving into Juneteenth's profound significance in shaping the Black American struggle for inclusive democracy. From the historic roots of Juneteenth to its role in advancing radical pluralism, this piece challenges us to safeguard our progress and pursue equity for all. Join me in honoring Juneteenth by reflecting on its legacy and committing to action. Dive into the full article through the link. #Juneteenth #InclusiveDemocracy Link: https://lnkd.in/gttCJafu

Looking for ways to activate your Juneteenth (and your every day!)? Check out this article and find your ways to embrace radical pluralism and to advance our pathway to a multiracial democracy. ❤️

"The quest for liberty and justice is ongoing and that we must continue to fight for an America that truly represents its founding values and all its citizens." Robert F. Smith #InspiredByYou #OnRepeat "The signers of the Declaration of Independence were brave men. They were great men, too, great enough to give frame to a great age. It does not often happen to a nation to raise, at one time, such a number of truly great men. The point from which I am compelled to view them is not, certainly, the most favorable; and yet I cannot contemplate their great deeds with less than admiration. They were statesmen, patriots and heroes, and for the good they did, and the principles they contended for, I will UNITE with you to honor their memory..... Your high independence only reveals the immeasurable distance between us. The blessings in which you, this day, rejoice, are not enjoyed in common. The rich inheritance of justice, liberty, prosperity and independence, bequeathed by your fathers, is shared by you, not by me. The sunlight that brought light and healing to you, has brought stripes and death to me. This Fourth July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn.” - Frederick Douglass, July 5, 1852 (except from the source linked below) “If we must celebrate, let’s do so only for the promise of this country, the ideals of freedom and equality that have yet to come to fruition. 'We the people' means all of us…There is no future without We the People." Emily O. Weltman, M. Ed. https://lnkd.in/eV_FMdZd "#Leadership is all about people, inspiring people to believe that the impossible is possible developing and building people to perform at heights they never imagined... Inspiring your team to become the very best version of themselves." Leadership First https://lnkd.in/e9z7Mvcb #talent #government #mindset #behavior #futureofwork #innovation #jobs #economy #belonging #diversity #equity #inclusion #power #money #cultureofmoney

Juneteenth is an important part of American history. We weren’t free until we were all free (though of course that wasn’t the end of the struggle). When Pres. Biden made this day a federal holiday, he said, “Great nations don’t ignore their most painful moments. They don’t ignore those moments of the past. They embrace them. Great nations don’t walk away. We come to terms with the mistakes we made. And in remembering those moments, we begin to heal and grow stronger.” Some ways we can honor this history include supporting (year-round) Black-owned businesses and by being aware of how injustice was and is present in our area and doing our part to address it. https://lnkd.in/e67Ew6JB