Juneteenth Video and Poem

In recognition of Juneteenth last week, the following message was posted within the Virtual Student Union for our students on Friday, June 18th. Because the message includes a video compilation from several faculty/staff members along with an original poem from a NOVA Alumna, I wanted to be sure to share this across our college. Please read below.

“Juneteenth”, which is a combination of the month of June and the 19th day stands in recognition of the freeing of an enslaved people in the United States. Although enslavement was initially abolished in 1862 and declared in 1863 by the Emancipation Proclamation, it was not until 1865 that many still enslaved Black people in Texas became aware of such news. Therefore, Juneteenth is a celebration of liberation across Black culture in America. It is a day to honor the forgotten who forged ahead, acknowledge the violent and inhumane history of this nation, shed light on today’s unresolved injustices, and celebrate the progress of a people who continue to overcome all obstacles. In celebration, please be encouraged to gain more education on Juneteenth and celebrate the beauty of Black culture within American culture. Below, you will find a video of meaningful messages, an original poem, and the lyrics to an impactful song which all honor the aspiration of an even higher sense of freedom.

Juneteenth 2021 Video Message (a collection of messages from Black faculty and staff across NOVA)

“Juneteenth”(an original poem by Kim B. Miller, NOVA Alumna and Prince William County Poet Laureate)

“GLORY” by John Legend & Common

One day when the glory comes
It will be ours, it will be ours
Oh one day when the war is won
We will be sure, we will be sure
Oh glory (Glory, glory)
Oh (Glory, glory)

Hands to the Heavens, no man, no weapon
Formed against, yes glory is destined
Every day women and men become legends
Sins that go against our skin become blessings
The movement is a rhythm to us
Freedom is like religion to us
Justice is juxtapositionin’ us
Justice for all just ain’t specific enough
One son died, his spirit is revisitin’ us
Truant livin’ livin’ in us, resistance is us
That’s why Rosa sat on the bus
That’s why we walk through Ferguson with our hands up
When it go down we woman and man up
They say, “Stay down”, and we stand up
Shots, we on the ground, the camera panned up
King pointed to the mountain top and we ran up

One day when the glory comes
It will be ours, it will be ours
Oh one day when the war is won
We will be sure, we will be sure
Oh glory (Glory, glory)
Oh (Glory, glory)

Now the war is not over, victory isn’t won
And we’ll fight on to the finish, then when it’s all done
We’ll cry glory, oh glory (Glory, glory)
Oh (Glory, glory)
We’ll cry glory, oh glory (Glory, glory)
Oh (Glory, glory)

Selma’s now for every man, woman and child
Even Jesus got his crown in front of a crowd
They marched with the torch, we gon’ run with it now
Never look back, we done gone hundreds of miles
From dark roads he rose, to become a hero
Facin’ the league of justice, his power was the people
Enemy is lethal, a king became regal
Saw the face of Jim Crow under a bald eagle
The biggest weapon is to stay peaceful
We sing, our music is the cuts that we bleed through
Somewhere in the dream we had an epiphany
Now we right the wrongs in history
No one can win the war individually
It takes the wisdom of the elders and young people’s energy
Welcome to the story we call victory
The comin’ of the Lord, my eyes have seen the glory

One day when the glory comes
It will be ours, it will be ours
Oh one day when the war is won
We will be sure, we will be sure
Oh glory (Glory, glory)
Oh (Glory, glory)
Oh glory (Glory, glory)
Hey (Glory, glory)

When the war is won, when it’s all said and done
We’ll cry glory (Glory, glory)
Oh (Glory, glory)

Submitted by:
Nigel Word, nword@nvcc.edu