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SPEAKER 2
Welcome, everybody, to Substack Live. It's Thursday. You know what that means, folks. It's time for our Midas meetup series. Ben is so excited he's throwing his phone down. It's a day of celebration today. It's Juneteenth. We're excited to have Khalil Green here with us to celebrate Juneteenth, to tell us a bit about the holiday,
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to tell us the meaning of it, and how we could continue to fight for justice and equality in these times. Obviously, right now, times are very tough. And I think one way that we could honor the past is to fight in the present for those values that people have fought for. Khalil,
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for those of you who don't know, and I'm sure so many of you do know him, Khalil is brilliant. He's the Gen Z historian. I'm sure a lot of you folks know him from TikTok. He's got the Gen Z Historian sub stack. And so make sure that you subscribe to him here on sub stack.

Standing Up for Black History: A Special Juneteenth Substack Live with Khalil Greene

Re-watch our Substack live with Khalil Greene, AKA the Gen Z historian!

By Ben Meiselas

Earlier, my brother Brett and I were honored to host a special Substack Live in celebration of Juneteenth, joined by none other than Khalil Greene, the brilliant mind behind the History Can’t Hide Substack. Khalil is also known across platforms as the “Gen Z Historian.” If you don’t know Khalil yet, let me introduce you: he’s a two-time Emmy-nominated, Forbes 30 Under 30-recognized, Peabody Award-winning edu-tainer who has made it his mission to uncover, explain, and amplify the truths about American history that too many try to erase.

And there’s no better time than Juneteenth to have this conversation.

Khalil helped walk us through the real meaning of Juneteenth, not as a somber relic of slavery, but as a celebration of Black freedom, resilience, and joy. He gave a powerful breakdown of how enslaved people in Galveston, Texas weren’t informed of their emancipation until two and a half years after Lincoln’s Proclamation, and how Juneteenth was born from that moment of long-delayed liberation.

But this conversation wasn’t just about history. It was about the fight to protect it. Because in 2025, we’re not just up against ignorance. We’re up against a deliberate campaign to erase Black history and roll back civil rights. Trump and his MAGA allies are attacking education, defunding HBCUs, banning curriculum they call “woke,” and even trying to rename military bases after Confederates. Khalil laid out clearly how this isn’t just neglect, but backlash. And it’s coordinated.

He also spoke movingly about how this Juneteenth, more than ever, is a moment to celebrate — but also a time to recommit to the struggle. The threats to truth, education, and equality are real. From right-wingers openly calling for repeals of the Civil Rights Act, to Silicon Valley billionaires cheering on Trump’s regression so they can dump their DEI pledges, it’s clear we need both vigilance and action.

Throughout the conversation, Khalil reminded us that Black history is American history. That truth-telling is not divisive. That fighting for justice is patriotic. And that the best way to honor Juneteenth is to celebrate Black joy and show up in solidarity, whether that’s supporting local events, subscribing to Black creators, or simply refusing to stay silent.

I’ll leave you with this: Khalil said it best — “Juneteenth is a celebration. Have fun. Celebrate Black history. Celebrate Black culture. And then continue the fight tomorrow.”

So if you missed it, make sure to watch the full replay and subscribe to Khalil’s Substack. Let’s make sure history can’t hide — not today, not ever.

Thanks to everyone who joined us, and we’ll see you at the next Substack Live.

Meidas+ is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

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james f barry's avatar

The great sin of America is not coming to terms with its sinful past.

Old sins cast long shadows.

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Akrose59's avatar

Thank you all for this show 🙏

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Ed Garland's avatar

@James f barry ... Agree. Taking an ostrich position is proof positive that we humans are creatures of habit. Repeating the atrocities of the past impedes progress and foments hate. The alleged 7 Deadly Sins have existed from the beginning of time itself. Unless and until folks recognize there is no Shangri-La, empires will rise and fall just as they have through the centuries.

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Patrice Mobley's avatar

And history can't be ERASED!!

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Kahlil Greene's avatar

Thank you all so much for having me and supporting!

Feel free to leave any questions you have as a reply here 👇🏾

If you want more information about history and ways to fight for racial equality, feel free to check out my Substack: historycanthide.substack.com.

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Patrice Mobley's avatar

TY too Kahlil!

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Danita Hamilton's avatar

Great live show I really enjoyed it thank you to all three of you 💯✌🏽☮️✌🏽💪💯💙🙏🏾☮️

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william logan's avatar

Juneteenth, and enlightening of how strong ppl of color are...

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Adina's avatar

This was an amazing interview! So on point! Subscribed to Khalil Greene Gen Z Historian immediately.

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Krysia Alexander's avatar

Great podcast, thanks for covering such a great day with Khalil Greene.

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Fox.or.Ox's avatar

Awe inspiring. Thank you!

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Josey's avatar

Thank you for teaching and highlighting freedom and joy! 💙 💙

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Hope E.'s avatar

All history should be taught. All of it. Good. Bad. Ugly. Hopeful.

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Patrice Mobley's avatar

It's up to us, the parents, the teachers, the historians, the elders, et!

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Ariana's avatar

Thank you Khalil!

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Nicol Yates's avatar

Great discussion! I appreciate you bringing the awareness of Juneteenth to this platform.

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Jeanine's avatar

Thank you, Khalil. Love your content.

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BUT WHAT THE FUCK DO I KNOW's avatar

🇺🇸THE PEOPLE DECLARE; AMERICA BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE

We are the rightful owners. The government is our employee. And justice is long overdue.

We, the People of the United States of America, hereby declare that:

• The government is not our ruler, but our employee — hired, funded, and directed by us, the sovereign citizens of America.

• For too long, that employee has acted against our will, against our interests, and in service to corporate and financial masters who have bought the law, corrupted the courts, and captured our democracy.

• The fruits of our labor have been stolen, our families buried in debt, our bodies broken by stress, and our dreams deferred — all the while; a corrupted government, protected by corrupted attorneys, enriched its donors, protected its cronies, and silenced its critics.

• We have been denied the most basic human guarantees: Free health, Free education, housing, and dignity — not because we can’t afford them, but because greed & corruption has stood in the way.

Today, We the People Say:

✅ We are the owners of this nation — not banks, not billionaires, not politicians and not the corrupted attorneys.

✅ The American government is our employee, and our Public Servants will serve us, or be fired, or indicted, convicted and imprisoned.

✅ We grant ourselves the bonus we were always owed:

• Free health care

• Free education

• No more Income Taxes if you earn less than $1,000,000.00

• Debt-free lives

• A stable home and no property taxes on our personal residences.

• A living wage

• Time to raise our children, care for our elders, the children, the poor, the middle class, the rich as well, the sick, our Veterans

• Control of our own futures & spread our happiness and prosperity to the World!

• Like China, America will print our money with no National Debt, & we will retire The Federal Reserve Banking Act.

✅ And we say never again will we be ruled by fear, trapped by excessive debt, or sold off to the highest bidder.

This is not revolution — this is our reward for developing a great Democracy and our hard work.

This is not utopia — this is justice.

This is not theory — this is what happens when the people remember they are the sovereign power in a free nation.

We are not asking.

We are not pleading.

We are restoring what is ours.

And we will never give it back.

AMERICA; FOR THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, OF THE PEOPLE…..

FOR OUR PEOPLE, BY OUR PEOPLE, OF OUR PEOPLE…..

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Carol Pladsen-Bloom's avatar

What a fascinating young man.

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Josey's avatar

Trump doesn't know history, it's Stephen Miller that's behind everything. Keep Stephen Miller in mind when you mention Trump. We must proceed proactively and aggressively when moving forward. We need more days of 50501!!!! Let's stay united to eradicate the hate of the trump regime!

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Larry Lathrop's avatar

Black history means nothing to Maga. Many of them still think the South won the Civil War!

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Kim  M's avatar

Great conversation full of joy and wisdom.

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Duli's avatar

So…

I complained that you weren’t giving homage… but, but, ok.

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Duli's avatar

It’s June Nineteenth! Why didn’t you give homage? https://youtu.be/YxNio8GvwRY?si=9SscnmSDzvSk83b6

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Willie Scrapes's avatar

Thank you!

I had been contemplating all day on writing a critique of Meidas+ for omitting to acknowledge the public holiday, Juneteenth.

My wavering faith is stable, again!

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Marion Marcetic's avatar

AMEN🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸‼️

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Ariana's avatar

Def noticed the computer algorithms on Facebook today when posting Happy Juneteenth, so much hate and very bad things was said, I was like are these auto generated AI. Or people? I just kept reporting each of these racist posts today and then I would get a reply from Facebook that my request was denied, and they did not find it necessary to remove, so even the moderators or computer moderators keep it posted

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Willie Scrapes's avatar

Why stay in an abusive relationship with Facebook? Cheups!

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Ariana's avatar

Happy Juneteenth 🥁🪇🎷🎼⚖️

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Adrienne's avatar

Thanks for educating everyone on the colors of Juneteenth! Now we know. 🖤

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Linda's avatar

Is Ben OK? he doesn't look well.

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Patrice Mobley's avatar

He's probably tired from reporting on the convicted felon and adjudicated sexual assaulter non stop.

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Claire's avatar

Thanks for the intro to Khalil! I will subscribe.

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Arnelle M Pires's avatar

Ben! your back pain is obvious. Get that fix asap. I feel so bad for you. A bad back so young.

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debra's avatar

White people have to stop hanging their heads and, instead, fight racism. Everywhere they see it. Every time they see it.

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Vivi Survivor's avatar

Poor Ben! Thank you both for bringing Khalil. I will subscribe!

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Arnelle M Pires's avatar

Love this young man. thank you, Meidas Touch for introducing him to me.

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Diantha R Weilepp's avatar

What do you make of Clarence Thomas, as a judge & his politics?

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Patrice Mobley's avatar

Uncle Clarence, 😂😂😂😂

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Renee's avatar

I love History Can’t Hide. Thank you for interviewing Kahlil. Great show! Please fix the misspelling of his name. It’s Kahlil Greene (not Khalil). Spellcheck is getting it wrong. Thank you.

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Alison Stoller's avatar

Thanks for this video. So interesting to learn the history of Juneteenth. It should absolutely remain a federal holiday. Trump et al are racist bigots.

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Meemaw's avatar

💙💙💙

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bblaK's avatar

Excellent to see MTN expansion ongoing. I will subscribe to this young mans substack. Ben, please get treatment.

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Margaret Redus's avatar

💙💙💙

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menehune's avatar

ALOHA...

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Randy Kalish's avatar

Is it not because the many generations that greedily took on the sin of Miriam, the sister of Moses, and suffer the spiritual leprosy bestowed by the Almighty, converted back to roving bands of apes for disrespect after having been created upright?

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HumanKind1998's avatar

@MeidasTouch Network @Ben Meiselas @Brett Meiselas Guys, I love you all, rely on you, & Aaron for news. Popok for legal break down, Ben too, but this man has a huge point that I keep screaming, “What have the courts been able to stop?” No matter how many cases the “IT” loses, they aren’t stopping

https://www.threads.com/@deanobeidallah/post/DLHvrV1vZe3?xmt=AQF05sP424W4ZZ4aDeV8q48sjdb3yIqF14C-_fa9ErIrLg

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Julie Lawson's avatar

Thank you! Great add to my subs. We have so much work to do.

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Nori's avatar

Thank you for this show, appreciate you all!

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Barbara's avatar

Will be subscribing to Khalil Greene Substack!! Thank you all so much! 74 and still curious, learning!!

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Kent Evans's avatar

Happy Juneteenth Khalil

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Doreen Smith's avatar

I love listening to Gen Z

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Ariana's avatar

Well my page had nothing to do with it it was another post and just an observation

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0:39
for those of you who don't know, and I'm sure so many of you do know him, Khalil is brilliant. He's the Gen Z historian. I'm sure a lot of you folks know him from TikTok. He's got the Gen Z Historian sub stack. And so make sure that you subscribe to him here on sub stack.