HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Madison County hosted its second annual Juneteenth community conversation Wednesday, touching on what some might consider a harsh reality, the idea of colorblindness.
Juneteenth is a federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. This "Oh Freedom" 2024 event was hosted by District 6 Commissioner Violet Edwards, making it very clear that it's all about opening the community's eyes to a viewpoint they may not have ever seen before. "And for you to sit beside somebody, maybe not even from your neighborhood, but to be able to look out and say, that's what I'm talking about. That's what I'm talking about. I know that's right. That is why we are here today."
Open and honest community conversation discussing the notion of a colorblind society also highlighting that parents have an important role to play by teaching kids about the ideology of color at an early age. "If we don't teach our children, and when I say our children, I'm talking about our whole nation of children our real history, where are we going to be?," said event panelist Dr. Claudette Owens.
This free event focused on the idea of colorblindness being used as the rationale behind dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, and the notion of a colorblind society. Furthermore, it addressed the intricacies of race to understand each other better.
Event panelist Will Starkweather also shared another key perspective. "The way that I talk about things is different from the way that my kids have learned to talk about things, the way that my parents talk about things. And so we all have to start from what is our common ground."