2020 Hindsight: I need to be educated

On the 170th day of 2020, I spent some time, after work, doing some research on what I could watch, ready, or listen to tomorrow, to reflect on Juneteenth and the experiences that Black people have had throughout history.  On 6/18/20, I ordered Frederick Douglass' essay "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" but I will likely read that next week as, appropriately, we are closer to the July 4th holiday.  I now have a list of things to read and watch and listen to so that I can get more information on the history of ALL people in this country.  My 2020 Hindsight is that I need to be educated.  How did I not know the depth of the horrors of Rosewood in Tulsa until watching 60 Minutes last Sunday?  What other blind spots/gaps do I have in my knowledge?  I need to spend a lot of time learning, not because I will every understand fully the pain and suffering that has been experienced by Black people in America.  But the more that I know, the better I can be and I want to encourage others to also expand their knowledge.  The bright spot in this moment was when I mentioned the Douglass essay and Anna came in from the other room to tell me that she had read it this year in Honors US History.  So, I am a little encouraged that my kids may be getting a better education than I received.  But I am not sure we could ever know enough, so I will be sharing any resources I find with Sarah and the kids as well.  I am off of work tomorrow, on Juneteenth and that, in itself, is a privilege I know many do not have. It's time to put this privilege to good use and learn.

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