Enslaved people were valued at every stage of their lives, from before birth until after death. Slaveholders examined women for their fertility and projected the value of their “future increase.” As the slaves grew up, enslavers assessed their value through a rating system that quantified their work. An “A1 Prime hand” represented one term used for a “first-rate” slave who could do the most work in a given day. Their values decreased on a quarter scale from three-fourths hands to one-fourth hands, to a rate of zero, which was typically reserved for elderly or differently abled bondpeople (another term for slaves).
For example, Guy and Andrew, two prime males sold at the largest auction in U.S. history in 1859, commanded different prices. Although similar in “all marketable points in size, age, and skill,” Guy was US$1,280 while Andrew sold for $1,040 because “he had lost his right eye.” A reporter from the New York Tribune noted “that the market value of the right eye in the Southern country is $240.” Enslaved bodies were reduced to monetary values assessed from year to year and sometimes from month to month for their entire lifespan and beyond. By today’s standards, Andrew and Guy would be worth about $33,000-$40,000.)
god damn.
that is going to sit w/me.
shit...that might be on the high side b/c i'm not as skrong as i was a few years ago.
so maybe high $20Ks.
wow.
Happy Juneteenth.
we descended from superhumans. who else could survive and thrive all of that bullshit? i dunno.
6. "it does. his birthday will never be a federal holiday cuz they hate" In response to Reply # 5
black militancy. i personally as well as some co-workers/friends/family take a day off on his day as well as james baldwin to make it known we're the followers of Malcolm X.
7. "please read the letters by the enslaved who found out that they" In response to Reply # 0 Fri Jun-19-20 07:37 AM by lsymone
were free that day.
i read a letter by an enslaved young woman, named Molly. At 19, she couldnt fully grasp what was being said to her and her father too. They both dreamt about it. she said, they both woke up that morning before the sun rose as usual, headed on their way to the fields until she heard a man yelling from behind them that "we's free!" over and over again. her father immediately ran to the big house and they (owners) confirmed it. but they also told them their welcome to stay and continue to work in the fields instead they would be paid for the labor. she said she saw her dad sprint down the road and disappeared, came back 2 hours later with a buggy and donkey, and told her grab what she can cuz they leavin. that was the last time she would cry and her hands would finally heal from cutting cane.
11. "I don't recall ever saying "happy" Juneteenth once in my life, or even h..." In response to Reply # 0
I don't recall ever saying "happy" Juneteenth once in my life, or even hearing/reading it before this week.
I'm probably in my head, or in my own bubble, but I genuinely can't recall.
There have been numerous celebrations, picnics, bbqs, parades for Juneteenth in my life ... but "happy" as an exclamation before what's ultimately a gross story ... nah, my folks never did that
It really is a day of remembrance and recognition. I’m sure Galveston descendants celebrate/d like hell. But it is a memorialization of a wrong.
------ “There is no fate that cannot be surmounted by scorn.” -Albert Camus
15. "I didn't really know of it until 1999" In response to Reply # 11
>I don't recall ever saying "happy" Juneteenth once in my >life, or even hearing/reading it before this week. > >I'm probably in my head, or in my own bubble, but I genuinely >can't recall. > >There have been numerous celebrations, picnics, bbqs, parades >for Juneteenth in my life ... but "happy" as an exclamation >before what's ultimately a gross story ... nah, my folks never >did that > >It really is a day of remembrance and recognition. I’m sure >Galveston descendants celebrate/d like hell. But it is a >memorialization of a wrong.
When the Ralph Elison book "Juneteenth" was published.
Before then I remember vaguely having heard about it because I was born in Louisiana and I remember someone bitching about Texas and their holiday - but I really didn't know what it was.
But In San Deigo I'd never heard much about celebrations until very recently.
legsdiamond Member since May 05th 2011 79824 posts
Fri Jun-19-20 12:05 PM
13. "I think I was in philly the first time I heard of Juneteenth" In response to Reply # 12
they had a street festival on South St.
This is the first year I’m getting happy Juneteenth text form friends and fam.
Before it was just asking if we went to a festival or if the city we were in had a celebration or memorial.
**************** TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*
26. "Meetings today and yesterday have been painful......." In response to Reply # 21
If I hear onemowhiteperson ask "What is Juneteenth? What are we celebrating?" i'ma..... I ain't gonna do shit...but yeah...I done heard that a few too many times in the past 48hrs.. You'd think they'd have all at least done their googles by now....so I'm officially taking it as an insult from here on out...
Dr. Greg Carr (Howard University Professor) and Karen have a discussion about the origins of Juneteenth and how it spread throughout the country and its ties to everything from Family Reunions to George Floyd.
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