It is June and Summertime is here again. We celebrated Juneteenth, special church days, summer camps, the 4th of July, and a myriad of other Day Camps sponsored by various organizations by colleges and high schools designed to acquaint young people with their next educational opportunity. However, this summer is different because of the Covid Pandemic.
The popular song says, “Its summertime and the living are easy, your Daddy is rich and your Mama’s Good Looking, so hush little baby, don’t you cry.” I am from Bakersfield, California and we survived the 100-110-degree heat, by swimming. There were indoor church activities like Vacation Bible school in the cool of the evening and city sponsored summer Day Camps. Some of us kids had jobs, and summer school. It is interesting to see all the Juneteenth Celebrations and most people have no idea what Juneteenth all about is. Quite simply, the story goes that the Slaves of Galveston, Texas did not get the word of the Emancipation Proclamation freeing them from slavery for two and a half years later. The Slaves continued working until the Union Soldiers came forth with the word. History will tell us that nothing significant changed Black Slaves bought property and began a career of Sharecropping where they were treated unfairly. Sharecroppers shared their earnings with the Plantation owner, but years of not being allowed to read crippled them and the Plantation owner took advantage of them. One person advised that the effect of summer depends on whether you are a minor in elementary school, middle school, or college, and whether you are a full-fledged adult. For the youngster there is total freedom, learning to swim, playing ball, or at Sunday Bible School. These are the learning years for them. Middle aged to college are the sexual learning years. For me it was the Boy meets getting my first kiss from the other sex. I also learned about Langston Hughes, James Weldon Johnson, and Black Poetry from my mother and the local Library. I would play the piano and read Black poetry over the telephone; I was getting over. It is summer again and time to get closer with your loved one. Buy flowers, and you can still read them Poetry. Celebrate Valentine Day, Mother’s Day, Parades and have an enjoyable time. Go on a picnic and spend more time to demonstrate your love to your loved one. It is also a suitable time to practice your Entrepreneurship skills. You can start a business or help your children set up a lemonade stand. Remember, every family needs a family business. It can also help you with your tax status, make this your summer to remember. |
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