Louisiana’s oldest Juneteenth celebrations return amid COVID, on heels of holiday legislation
In 1976, Baton Rougeans first celebrated Juneteenth with a parade. Then annual celebrations occurred sporadically in the capital city until historian Sadie Roberts-Joseph began hosting annual celebrations consistently in the late 1980s. Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Liberation Day, and Emancipation Day, is a holiday celebrating the 1865 emancipation of all African … Continue reading
Toni Morrison, Baton Rouge’s bench and ‘seeing myself’
Toni Morrison’s work impacted the lives of many people, including my own. As a Black student at predominately White university, it was hard for me to see myself on the required texts by Chaucer, Shakespeare, and Milton. It wasn’t until I took a course called, “Toni Morrison and Others,” that I saw myself.
Hundreds honor slain civil rights icon, museum founder remembered for living a life of purpose
Hundreds of people including Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, Baton Rouge Mayor Sharon Weston Broome, other elected officials, community leaders, and even residents who barely knew Sadie Roberts-Joseph filled the pews at Living Faith Christian Center to say goodbye to a woman who was remembered for living a life of purpose. “What she has done … Continue reading
‘Not Charity, Lord, but a Chance’
The poem, “Not Charity, Lord, But a Chance,” is a petition for fair opportunities in America. Its message is timely and symbolic for this middle-schooler whose business has won two pitch competition within three months. “Blacks demanded a fair chance and were brilliant and excellent in what they did,” she said.
Jozef Syndicate 