IN HIS 200th YEAR, ANDREW JOHNSON CONTINUES TO INSPIRE !

This is very exciting! Our first blog.

Daniel is finishing his final class TONIGHT. That is a major YAY! He is graduating after having delayed this choice for 20 years.

I've just recruited the first Black Greenevillians, the Manuel Family, to take part in the Bicentennial Celebration Collection this afternoon. A couple of folks brought in their mother for me to meet and to enlist in this project. Her response was that they were also capable and talented. If she was to take part so should they. They ALL agreed to create for the Collection!  I'm really excited.

 

 President Johnson was instrumental in extending emancipation to all of the USA population. Lincoln's proclamation freed only the slaves of the states in rebellion -- slaves in Tennessee, Kentucky, Maryland and Missouri were not freed. It was during Johnson's term of office that the amendments to our constitution were proposed and ratified. Included in Johnson's views was his idea that the living conditions of all poor people, without regard to their racial background, would be improved by emancipation. It is with that spirit of inclusion that we have created the Bicentennial Collection and I wish to personally extend our invitation to everyone who wishes to participate in this celebration.

 August 8th (the day  Johnson freed his household slaves) is celebrated  as "Freedom Day" here in Upper East Tennessee. Thanks to the untiring dedication of several Greene Countians, August 8th has been declared a state holiday. The African-American Task Force Coalition of East Tennessee will sponsor it's second Emancipation Day Conference later this month here in Greeneville. If you want to know more, please log onto www.nps.gov/anjo/parknews/index.htm or contact Leroy Ripley at 423-798-9592.   

Now, back to my original point: of the 27 artisan, artists and organizations participating, 24 are from Greene County. That this many folks have chosen to contribute their talents, time and creative spirits to this project is a source of humbling personal affirmation and just plain  JOY to me. Thank you everyone!

Without a doubt this project, which first started taking form in 2006 when Daniel chose to base his one-man-show (Tennessee Tailor) on the speeches and letters of Johnson with the inclusion of some of his published responses during the time of his impeachment, has been one of the most personally inspiring quests that we have taken. As we have gotten to know and understand our 17th President, we have discovered just how much his belief in and defense of our constitution has relevant application in our country today. If you have an interest in these applications, please research this remarkable gentleman yourself. He will swell your heart,  expand your love for our country and renew your values in political participation. His constant choices to believe in, practice the values of and be inspired by of our constitution are his most enduring legacies to each of us here in his hometown and his beloved United States of America!