Highlighting our friend Tony Cohen and the Menare Foundation
We're replaying a special BONUS episode for you this week, in celebration of our newest national holiday—Juneteenth!
The historic Button Farm, home to the Menare Foundation, is Maryland’s only living history center depicting 19th-century plantation life. Situated on 40 acres, inside Seneca Creek State Park in Germantown, Maryland, Button Farm provides a safe and affirming space for people to gather, commune and explore. Through their unique interactive experiences, they seek to reveal our nation’s social justice legacy, using the story of slavery and the Underground Railroad as a spark for human potential.
We have a special bonus episode for you this week (originally aired June 19th, 2021) in celebration of our newest national holiday—Juneteenth! Mary and Emma reunite with author, historian and farmer Tony Cohen for an exploration into the history of Juneteenth and the holiday’s complex folklore and origins. Tony takes us back in time to examine how this monumental declaration of freedom spread in a variety of ways depending on the geographic, economic and social landscape of the time.
Mary, Emma and Tony pause to reflect upon what freedom means and looks like in the modern era and why society continues to resist a hard look at injustice. Tony points to how altering behavior can feel like giving up our own freedoms and comforts and reminds us that the fair trade movement has deeply historic roots. He also reflects upon the transition from enslavement to the tenant farming system and points to how that system affects us still today. Together they grapple with some hard truths about freedom itself and acknowledges the work still left to be done.
Tony shares how he celebrates Juneteenth at Button Farm and rejoices in community as he reflects upon the precious ability to gather and take new found enthusiasm into the world.
As always, we’ll have a new episode up this coming Friday.
Enjoy!
Mary and Emma
Thanks for reposting this. I want to visit some day.