Author: Floyd Cooper
Publisher: Capstone
Rating: WORTHY!
DISCLOSURE: Unlike the majority of reviews in this blog, I've neither bought this book nor borrowed it from the library. This is a "galley" copy ebook, supplied by Net Galley. I'm not receiving (nor will I expect to receive or accept) remuneration for this review.
Not to be confused with Ralph Ellison's mammoth Juneteenth, this is a children's picture book explaining the origin of the celebration - one which we should all appreciate and enjoy.
Mazie is getting a bit tired of being told no. No, she can't have a cookie right now. No she can't play outside, it's too late and getting dark. No more, it's time for bed! But her father finds time to regale her with a story of a time when people of her color were never told no - because No was the law. They didn't need to be told: "No" was their life. They had NO life.
That all began to change on June 19th, 1865 when General Order Number Three was read in a state (the state where I live!) which had the most slaves and which was on that date, ordered to comply.
The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.
Of course, that freedom is still being sought today, but in generally much more subtle ways. It took forever to get where we are, and there's still a long way to go, but at least the journey is well underway.
This richly-illustrated, sparsely-worded novel is both a reminder and a celebration of Juneteenth - a day of which people of all colors should be aware and celebrate. This children's book is a great way to start an education.
