National Day of Reconciliation and Healing From the Legacy of Enslavement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (5/12/10)
Contact: Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D., Chairman
National Juneteenth Christian Leadership Council (NJCLC)
662-247-3364 662-247-1471
e-mail: JuneteenthDOC@yahoo.com
web sites: www.NationalJuneteenth.com
www.njclc.com
National Day of Reconciliation and Healing From the Legacy of Enslavement
National Juneteenth Black Holocaust "Maafa" Memorial Service
National Juneteenth Prayer Breakfast
Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D.
(Washington, DC) - The National Day of Reconciliation and Healing From the Legacy of Enslavement will take place on Friday, June 18, 2010, the
"3rd Friday in June", including the annual National Juneteenth Prayer Breakfast at the National Press
Club and the National Juneteenth Black Holocaust "Maafa" Memorial Service, at
Lincoln Park United Methodist Church,
Rev. Dr. Diane Dixon-Proctor, Pastor, in the nation's capitol, Washington, DC.
A special message on "Biblical Reconciliation" will be given by Jack Gaines, Director of
Reconciliation Ministry for the National Juneteenth Christian Leadership Council (NJCLC).
"As the descendants of Americans of African descent, our ancestors were brought to America in chains. This should never be forgotten," states
Dr. Myers. "Millions lost their lives during the middle passage, not to mention the thousands killed from lynching and murders before and after the
civil war. One ponders as to why so little attention has been given to our own history of death and destruction in America."
History reveals that George Washington was a slave owner. Thomas Jefferson was a slave owner. Many of the founding fathers of America were slave owners.
The US Capitol and the White House were built through the uncompensated labor of the ancestors of Americans of African descent during the
tyranny of enslavement.
"In response, we have embraced the term "Maafa", a Kiswahili term meaning "Disaster" or "Terrible Occurrence", to tell our own story about our
enslavement and the sustained attempt to dehumanize us," continues Dr. Myers.
Beginning in the year 2000, during the annual WASHINGTON JUNETEENTH National Holiday Observance, the "3rd Friday in June" has now been
set aside as the date for the National Day of Reconciliation and Healing From the Legacy of Enslavement. The day was established in recognition of
former Congressman Tony Hall's efforts to pass a congressional apology for slavery. Dr. Myers, who worked closely with Congressman Hall, learned firsthand
that America's slave legacy was still a very contemptuous issue for many Americans, who would rather ignore history then embrace the truth.
"Introduced twice by Congressman Hall, the last time on Juneteenth Independence Day, the "19th of June", 2000, we just recently, in
July of 2008, received an apology for slavery by Congress." states Dr. Myers. "This again
demonstrates the need for America to be healed from the legacy of enslavement."
Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN) sponsored successful legislation for an official Apology For Slavery and Jim
Crow by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2008. Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) sponsored an Apology For Slavery
that was passed in the U.S. Senate in 2009 during the week of Juneteenth 2009.
In January of 2008, New Jersey passed Apology For Slavery legislation. In 2007, four states passed similiar legislation, including Virginia, Alabama,
Maryland and North Carolina. 36 states, most recently Mississippi, officially recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday
or state holiday observance. Dr. Myers, who was formerly appointed National Advisory Chairman of America's Black Holocaust
Museum by museum's founder, the late Dr. James Cameron, a lynching survivor, was encouraged by the Senate Apology For
Lynching during the week of Juneteenth in 2005.
"Dr. Cameron taught me the importance of forgiveness, patience and reconciliation by his remarkable life," states Dr.
Myers. "It led to a Senate apology for lynching. Congress continues to demonstrate sensitivity to issues surrounding the
legacy of enslavement in America and we pray they will continue to do so."
Dr. Myers was also encouraged by the actions of French President M. Jacques Chirac who addressed the people of France during a 2006 National Day
of Remembrance and Commemoration of Slavery and Its Abolition.
"Please join us in prayer and make the "3rd Friday in June" a monumental day of remembrance and healing of our Maafa in America," states
Dr. Myers. "We must continue to seek God in prayer for the healing of the nation from the legacy of enslavement."
For information on the National Juneteenth Prayer Breakfast, the National Juneteenth Black Holocaust
"Maafa" Memorial Service, the National
Day of Reconciliation and Healing From the Legacy of Enslavement, the WASHINGTON JUNETEENTH National
Holiday Observance and the National Juneteenth Holiday Campaign, contact Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D. at 662-247-3364, 662-247-1471, or e-mail:
JuneteenthDOC@yahoo.com or web sites:
www.njclc.com and
www.NationalJuneteenth.com.
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