Monroe Equity Community

Mark your calendars!

“Best advice I ever got was an old friend of mine, a black friend, who said you have to go the way your blood beats. If you don’t live the only life you have, you won’t live some other life, you won’t live any life at all. That’s the only advice you can give anybody. And it’s not advice, it’s an observation,”

🌈James Baldwin on coming out

Juneteenth is an incredibly important holiday. Let’s get Smarter in Seconds about the full story. Written and presented by @blairimani, directed by @sensorysavant, consulting by Kina Reed @jreedconsulting You may have learned that President Lincoln “freed the slaves” with the Emancipation Proclamation (1863) but that’s not the full story. Not only is that inaccurate, it’s pretty dismissive and reductive. But fortunately I’m a historian who loves a quick deep dive to clear up misinformation! The Emancipation Proclamation wasn’t as much a benevolent act as it was a military strategy to destabilize the Confederacy. Following the documents signing hundreds of thousands of enslaved people self-emancipated (freed themselves) and fled to the Northern U.S., Mexico, and Canada. This mandate could only be enforced by U.S. soldiers in reoccupied territory. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day that U.S. soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas to reoccupy the seceded state and enforce the Emancipation Proclamation (1863) But chattel slavery didn’t disappear on that day, months of military action followed and some states that didn’t secede continued to enslave and traffick people because the Emancipation Proclamation never applied to them. It’s a complicated and twisted history, not unlike the United States itself. To me, the history also represents the aspirations of the United States that we are still working to fulfill. EXTRA CREDIT 📝 What does Juneteenth mean to you? What other historical myths have you debunked? How will you celebrate and honor Juneteenth this year?

As we continue through Pride Month, we want to recognize and thank the sponsors of Monroe Pride 2025!

Thank you 𝕄𝕖𝕕𝕦𝕤𝕒’𝕤 𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕜 𝕋𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕠𝕠!

Owner Chloe saw a need and stepped right up to offer space for our team to hold meetings as well as organized the Save Monroe Pride Flash Tattoo Event!

These fabulous women raised and donated an entire day’s worth of tattoo sales and we would not have had this year’s event wothout them!

“Medusa’s Mark Tattoo is an all-inclusive female tattoo studio with over 45 years of combined experience. Our team of talented artists is dedicated to creating unique and personalized tattoos that reflect your individual style and story.

We pride ourselves on providing a welcoming and inclusive space for all clients, regardless of gender, race, or background.

At Medusa’s Mark Tattoo, we believe in the power of self-expression through art and are here to help you bring your vision to life. Whether you’re looking for a small and delicate design or a bold and intricate piece, we are here to make your tattoo dreams a reality. Visit us on Main Street Monroe and let us leave our mark on you.”

When you’re ready for your next tattoo, please consider supporting Medusa’s Mark!