This is what my mentors helped me realize, and I am grateful that I have learned to articulate it in this way. My thoughts, I realize that gatekeeping is a tool of the oppressor. It was gatekept that we were free for two and a half years. So, when you find yourself wondering if you should share good information, and you think, "No, they'll find out how they find out," ask yourself, why do that? What does it benefit you to be free, while they remain unaware?
As I work on my speech for Juneteenth today, I reflect on how far we have come as a people. Yet, many ways of the oppressor have been adopted by the masses, including our own. We need to understand this. Our people don't always share information with each other. You've seen it, heard it, watched it play out, maybe just called it ‘being corny.’ But remember, the same thing happened in 1865. Two and a half years after we were declared free, we finally found out.
So, what information that could lead to freedom are you gatekeeping?
As we bring Juneteenth to the present, let us commit to sharing knowledge and resources. This way, we honor the spirit of Juneteenth and the resilience of our ancestors by ensuring everyone in our community is informed and empowered.
This is my speech.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today, as we gather to commemorate Juneteenth, let us reflect on a crucial lesson from our history: the power and peril of gatekeeping. It is essential to realize that gatekeeping is a tool of the oppressor. For two and a half years, the news of our freedom was gatekept from us. Our ancestors were emancipated, yet kept in bondage through the deliberate withholding of information.
As we reflect on this, consider the times you’ve had valuable information and chose not to share it. Perhaps you thought, "They’ll find out when they find out." But ask yourself, what does it benefit you to be free, while others remain unaware?
Today, I stand proud of the strides we have made as a people. Yet, I must recognize that many ways of the oppressor have been adopted by the masses, even by our own people. One of these ways is the reluctance to share vital information. We’ve all seen it: someone holding back knowledge that could help others, dismissing it as 'corny' to share. This is a cycle that must be broken.
In 1865, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation, our people finally learned of their freedom. Imagine the progress that could have been made had this information been shared immediately.
So, I ask you today, what information are you gatekeeping that could lead to someone’s freedom?
Bringing Juneteenth to the present, let us commit to ending this cycle. Let us freely share the knowledge and resources that can uplift our communities. Only then can we truly honor the spirit of Juneteenth and the enduring resilience of our ancestors.
Thank you.
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