While Dr. Venus is very clear that the federal holiday of Juneteenth is a symbolic victory, she feels it has no direct impact on the quality of life of Black people. Knowing that, why are Black People, but specifically Black Women, SO ok with accepting so very very little? Why are we so okay with accepting scraps that we are thankful that White people or the government or Senate would give us a holiday to BBQ, but not pass the laws that would stop the police from killing us?
Dr. Venus has MANY followers who are thankful for Juneteenth becoming a Federal Holiday, and has received numerous comments on her platforms chiding her for not being grateful for this step in the "right direction." In this episode, she passionately explains the historical wound behind why we want approval, and why she isn't celebrating just yet.
Warning: This is a rant. Dr. Venus goes ALL THE WAY in on this one. It's real, raw, and unapologetic. If you are easily offended, you are advised to NOT watch this video. You have been warned.
Key Takeaways:
[2:30] Dr. Venus makes it clear that she is proud of us for Juneteenth and this is NOT a slam. She is thankful for recognition but dissatisfied with the lack of true change. While it may be a step in the right direction, we have been stepping for 400 years.
[3:44] We may feel that White validation equals something, but in fact, it has given us nothing. They make money off our pain, and Juneteenth will be no different. They will capitalize on it and monetize it, all the while trying to pass it off as a holiday. But we can't talk about the Tulsa Race Riots or Critical Race Theory in schools, and many of the people celebrating Juneteenth don't even know what or why they are celebrating.
[6:40] You need to be aware when they are pulling your strings. If we are so excited about a day off and symbolic gestures, then they can say "we gave you Juneteenth, what more do you want?" What Dr. Venus wants is real change, including police reform as one example. Dr. Venus isn't even mad at White people doing what is in their self-interest anymore. She thinks of it as an occupational hazard. What we aren't going to do is pretend it's a good thing when it didn't do anything we currently requested.
[9:33] Our acceptance and gratitude are signals and signs to them that we are not to be taken seriously when they can buy us off with a BBQ or a parade. They will commercialize and monetize our pain, and our ancestors worked too hard and sacrificed too much to let that happen.
[12:54] You are powerful and when you settle for crumbs you literally are not standing for your power.
[13:24] Dr. Venus feels livid because if we can't talk about oppression, slavery, and Critical Race Theory in public schools — why are we celebrating? Black people have been so indoctrinated that White is right that our validation comes from thinking their approval and inclusion actually means something.
[15:37] Until you get that fire in your belly, you will be used. Your voice matters, your vote matters, and that is the truth.
[20:01] More Black Men can see that it's about business. Black Men, say it in love to your sisters and don't hurt their feelings and pride. Until we build our own infrastructure, we will continue looking for approval and trading our hours for dollars for what we do rather than what we know. That is one of the changes Dr. Venus will be creating with her tech startup.
Quotes:
Mentioned:
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