“Word of the Day, ’emancipation,’ noun | ih-man-suh-PAY-shun – refers to the act of freeing someone from the restraint, control, or power of another. It is used especially for the act of freeing someone from slavery.” ~ Merriam-Webster
towards freedom
Jen and I attended the unveiling of ‘Towards Freedom,’ Lexington’s newest bronze statue commemorating Lewis and Harriet Hayden, two enslaved people from Lexington who assisted many to freedom along the Underground Railroad before making their way to freedom in Canada. Eventually settling in Boston, among other efforts, Lewis was elected to the state House of Representatives as a Republican, ironically. The Republicans of Hayden’s era are today more ideologically aligned with Democrats. It happens that Kentucky’s current Governor is Democrat Andy Beshear, who, along with Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton, artist Basil Watson, and other dignitaries, were on hand to speak to the efforts of the Haydens and other African Americans who sought their freedom and how we as a nation has profitted from their emancipation. It wasn’t a dour or depressing event, but one of hope and light. Every time I begin to despair about the state of the world, it is my friends of color who inspire me to stop, realize that many things have been far worse than they are now, and remember that nothing can break the human spirit, no matter how hard the world and its ‘leaders’ might try.
Governor
The statue is gorgeous, and I think Jamaican artist Basil Watson got it right; the sentiment, the movement, the spirit of the enslaved, the beauty of freedom. It’s all there. And today’s speakers were equally as eloquent and gifted. Andy Beshear is beloved in this red state. He is a man of genuine faith, and he lives and speaks in a manner that reflects the values of Jesus as I understand his teachings. ‘Love they neighbor,’ period. No conditions. We need more of that. We need more kindness, less hatred. More celebration, less fear. It was a joyous day for everyone at the unveiling, and for that, I am truly grateful. Plus, I saw lots of people I love, and that’s never a bad day. Plus plus, Jen and I followed up with lunch at Zim’s. Plus plus plus, me and Shero caught a movie in the afternoon. It was a happy Juneteenth in my world, and I hope the same was true in yours.
the big reveal
gathering
No responses yet