Here’s How to Celebrate Juneteenth
The Emancipation Proclamation happened on January 1, 1863. It took over 2 years for the emancipation to actually “happen.”
Of course, the slave owners did not tell the black people that they were free, they wanted to keep their free labor and their profits. Therefore slave owners managed to keep the news from their slaves for 2 years, 5 months, and 18 days. (But who’s counting right?) It took Union soldiers 2 years to notify slaves that they were free-riding from the north all the way to Galveston, Texas where the last group of slaves still laboring.
Once former slaves were aware, in 1865 on June 19th AKA Juneteenth became Black America’s Independence Day. Although it is not a national holiday YET, there are still so many ways to celebrate such a momentous day.
1. Barbecue/Cookout
Call your relatives and play-cousins out, pull out the grill, and cards.
Soul food is the only true American Cuisine and it was invented by Black American Slaves. They can call it “southern food” all they want but we know who was cooking and memorizing those recipes. Have it all(in healthy portions of course! Have all the collards, fried chicken, and black eyed peas you want!
2. HAVE SOME WATERMELON
Look, watermelon originated in Africa. Don't shy away from it. Ryan Coogler has an interesting antecdote from encountering a woman in Africa. She responded to his shying away from watermelon because of silly stereotypes. Red soda mimics the hibiscus tea slaves used to drink at their celebrations before and after emancipation.
“The woman was handing out pieces of watermelon, they was treating them like they was gold or diamonds or something…And I was like, ‘Where I’m from they make fun of us for eating that to the point that we don’t even wanna eat it in front of people.’ And she was like, ‘Why would you not wanna eat what’s so important to you and your culture?’”
Here is a great Watermelon Drink recipe (not safe for kids) Here is a watermelon mint juice recipe for the kids
3. Buy from a Black Owned Business
If you don’t feel like cooking or hosting a cookout, supporting the community is a great way. One of the greatest ways to express freedom is the right to engage in capitalism. During reconstruction, so many Black-Owned businesses were sabotaged and it is important for us to use our dollars to repair that loss.
4. Watch some black cinema or television
I know everyone isn’t able to get out and celebrate or put together a cookout real quick. There is nothing wrong with having some soul food and watching some great Black Entertainment (not B.E.T. specifically)
Here are some great picks for Juneteenth
Iced Hibiscus Tea!
Here is a great Watermelon Drink recipe (not safe for kids) Here is a watermelon mint juice recipe for the kids
If you are not black, you can still celebrate. June 19, 1865 is the true day of freedom for Americans. The point is to remember our ancestors and the life they broke through so that we can continue to protest for freedom. Juneteenth was the first step toward freedom, it is still a day to celebrate our history and what we have built since then.
Stay jovial! It is a joyous occasion.
Stay away from the sorrowful music. For example, Glory by John Legend is the most sorowful song I have ever heard. It’s like you can hear chains and whips in the back. So many streaming platforms have changed their homepages to encourage their viewers to watch Black Films. These films are typically about the struggle and slavery. Engage is elation the triumph of African Americans.
So much of the narrative around freedom from slavery is overcome with burden and sorrow. It is easy to forget that our ancestors rejoiced after receiving the news. African slaves created a culture and history that is beautiful and multifaceted.
Let’s dwell in their spirit of rejoicing.
Sign this petition to make Juneteenth a national Holiday https://www.change.org/p/united-states-congress-make-juneteenth-a-national-holiday-in-2020
