1 of 1 copy available
and the enormous hardships that African-Americans have endured in the century since, from Reconstruction through Jim Crow and beyond. All too aware of the stories of cowboys, ranchers, and oilmen that have long dominated the lore of the
Lone Star State, Gordon-Reed—herself a Texas native and the descendant of enslaved people brought to Texas as early as the 1820s—forges a new and profoundly truthful narrative of her home state, one with implications for us all.
Combining personal anecdotes with poignant facts gleaned from the annals of American history, Gordon-Reed shows how, from the earliest presence of Black people in Texas to the day in Galveston on June 19, 1865, when Major General
Gordon Granger announced the end of legalized slavery in the state, AfricanAmericans played an integral role in the Texas story. Significantly, they shared the land with Indigenous people who faced their own conflicts with EuropeanAmericans, creating a volatile racial tableau whose legacies still haunt usReworking the traditional "Alamo" framework, she shows how the contentious history of the Lone Star State can provide us with a fresh and illuminating perspective on our country's past and its possible futures.
In its concision, eloquence, and clear presentation of history, On Juneteenthvitally revises conventional renderings of Texas and national history. As our nation verges on recognizing June 19 as a national holiday, On Juneteenth is both an
essential account and a stark reminder that the fight for equality is exigent and ongoing.
-
Creators
-
Publisher
-
Awards
-
Release date
May 4, 2021 -
Formats
-
OverDrive Listen audiobook
- ISBN: 9781705034453
- File size: 107691 KB
- Duration: 03:44:21
-
-
Languages
- English
-
Reviews
-
Karen Chilton narrates this audiobook, which blends the history of Juneteenth with the personal experiences of the author, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Annette Gordon-Reed. While Juneteenth is now observed nationally, the holiday's origins are firmly placed in Texas. On June 19, 1865, years after the Emancipation Proclamation and months after the official end of the Civil War, a Union general arrived in Galveston and brought news of the Confederacy's defeat and the end of slavery. Chilton effectively delivers a concise history lesson while also being attuned to the personal side of Gordon-Reed's work. Gordon-Reed's family is strongly tied to Texas, and her fondness for the state--despite its racial history and continuing struggles today--is perfectly captured in Chilton's spirited narration. A.T.N. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine
-