Juneteenth for Mazie

Mazie wants to play outside, but it is too late. “It’s getting dark, Mazie. It’s time to stay inside. Mazie wants a cookie, but it is time for bed. “Not now, little one. It’s too close to bedtime.” Mazie wants to stay up late, but she is too little. “Bedtime is the rule, sweet girl.”

“Why so grumpy, Sugar Bear?” asks Dad. “I can’t go where I want, have what I want,
or do what I want,” answers Mazie. “Well, tomorrow you can have a celebration,” says Dad. “What are we celebrating?” asks Mazie.

“We will celebrate the day your great-great great-grandpa Mose crossed into liberty! The day will be celebrated by us and many more families on a day we call Juneteenth.” Dad lifts Mazie into his arms. “I bet you’re tired of hearing ‘no’ all the time. Well, Great-great-great-grandpa Mose heard ‘no’ even more.”

“Grandpa Mose worked in fields that stretched all the way to sunset. He and the other slaves would be bone-tired, but they had to keep going. Their masters wouldn’t let them quit. But as they worked, they thought about freedom.”