Over the past few years, Juneteenth has gotten a lot more attention than it had in the past. From a calendar notification in our iPhones to an article from Ben & Jerry's, and even a very informative episode of Black-ish, Juneteenth has gone from a holiday only known in certain communities to a much more widely known day.
For those of you that still may not know what Juneteenth is, here is a little history from Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History & Culture:
Even though the Emancipation Proclamation was made effective in 1863, it could not be implemented in places still under Confederate control. As a result, in the westernmost Confederate state of Texas, enslaved people would not be free until much later. Freedom finally came on June 19, 1865, when some 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas. The army announced that the more than 250,000 enslaved black people in the state, were free by executive decree. This day came to be known as "Juneteenth," by the newly freed people in Texas.
Juneteenth - also referred to as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day or Emancipation Day - is a time to celebrate, educate, and reflect. A day to spend time with family and honor our people that came before us. Whether you're Black or not, you can celebrate the joy that comes with Juneteenth and hold space for people in your life.
(Photo from History.com)
Here are a few ways to celebrate Juneteenth this year:
Drink Strawberry Soda
Strawberry soda was among the first drinks that the emancipated slaves had access to celebrate with! Red Soda and other drinks were a luxury and slaves didn't have access to them. So when they finally had the freedom to do so, they celebrated with lots of red soda!
The red color symbolizes the struggle, perseverance, and resilience of the African slaves, so red drinks are popular for Juneteenth celebrations!
Eat Soul Food
Greens, Mac & Cheese, Red Velvet Cake & BBQ. Did you know that the reason Southern Cooking as we know it today comes primarily from the cooking style & methods of African slaves? High on the Hog on Netflix is a great documentary on how African American cuisine transformed America if you want to learn more about Soul Food!
Watch Movies or Shows that CELEBRATE Black Americans
All the streaming services have categories right now about telling Black stories. Make sure the ones you watch celebrate Black joy instead of depicting Black trauma. Use this day to celebrate freedom!
Wear your Pride
This year, I'm so excited to wear this AMAZING shirt from Lane Bryant! I love the message behind it and am honored to get to partner with them! If you're looking for a great shirt for Juneteenth (and every other day), look no further!
How are you planning to celebrate Juneteenth? Did you learn anything new about Freedom Day this year?