June 19th is important to me for so many reasons. This is my older brother's birthday, and oftentimes, Father's Day falls on this date. My family has a tradition of hosting a reunion on #FathersDay weekend. June 19th was deemed a national holiday by President Biden in 2021 with the goal of recognizing and honoring the independence of black Americans. This date differs than that of #IndependanceDay, as it signifies the day that the last slaves were communicated that they were free and protected under the Emancipation Proclamation. It would be almost 2 years after the #Emancipation Proclamation was enacted before the entirety of the nation would be aware of the fact that slaves were free. Soon after, celebrations would ensue to pay homage to all of the hard work and dedication that set the stage for all to be free. While recognizing #Juneteenth as an American holiday is a great feat, all too often are black men and women still stripped of thier rights...stripped of thier lives. The murder of #GeorgeFloyd on May 25th, 2020 was a tragic situation that no human should have to witness. The presence of this injustice amongst many other downfalls is what compelled me to release a song entitled, THEY. #THEY was released on Juneteenth 2020, in the midst of the riots that ensued in honor of George Floyd's life. Two weeks after the release of this song, I came across a Deadline article that confirmed the making of, "Emancipation" the movie. The movie stars Will Smith as he emulates and embodies the characteristics of "Whipped Peter." Peter was an enslaved southern man who carried courageous and heroic traits as he attempted to escape from the turmoil that he was subjected to under confederate rule. Although black Americans now have a holiday that truly signifies their heritage and history thereof, it is important to remember people like Peter and George Floyd whose stories will fuel our fire to continue on the path towards equity, diversity and inclusion. THEY is my interpretation of the phenomenon of colonialism and its implications on where we find ourselves today as Americans. Through continued awareness and advocacy, we can advance race relations for all🙏🏾