Juneteenth is the Nineteenth: So What You Doin’?
It’s that time of year again, everyone! No, it’s not Christmas. So do not look for a chubby white man to come down your chimney and give you a new bike or an extra paycheck. No, it’s not Cinco de Mayo. So do not grab your culturally appropriated sombreros and head to the nearest bar for five-dollar tequila shots. And no, it’s not Halloween either. So, do not go around looking for people to give you free shit. However, two things that are always free and worthwhile are awareness and knowledge. On June 19th, America will celebrate Juneteenth. Juneteenth?? What is Juneteenth? Is that a rap album? No, it’s not a rap album. However, if you would like to know more, keep reading.
What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth or Emancipation Day celebrates the end of slavery for African Americans. On June 19, 1863, troops in Galveston, Texas seized control of the state and demanded that all slaves become free. For now, we'll ignore the fact that this event did not occur until two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. We'll ignore the fact that the Emancipation Proclamation was a war tactic to piss off white southerners by only freeing slaves in Confederate states. Plus, forget about the fact that Lincoln “[was] not, nor ever have been, in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of the white and Black races.” Juneteenth is considered the longest-running African American holiday. Even though African Americans still had a lot to fight for back then, and even now, Juneteenth was a step forward.
Cultural Significance
Although originally Juneteenth was about the liberation of African American slaves, what significance does it have today? Many people use this day to celebrate the achievements and the contributions that blacks have given to American society. Whether its' through music, science, or health, this is a day to inspire the community and many others beyond. Even though African Americans may have freedom in a legal sense, as a community, we still have not reached the mountaintop. From fighting for our lives and humanity through the Black Lives Matter protests to fighting to implement critical race theory into the American education system, we are still walking on the road to true freedom, liberation, and equality.
How to Celebrate Juneteenth
As our newest federal holiday, it can be tempting to take Juneteenth as an opportunity to have a cookout, attend a baseball game, go fishing, visit a rodeo, or participate in a dance. However, they are other ways to celebrate Juneteenth while supporting the community as well.
Here are some ways below:
Support a black-owned business: Get your hair done at a black salon or a black barbershop. Order food from a black-owned restaurant. Buy gifts or clothes from a black-owned boutique. Every dollar counts and certainly helps.
Support the cause: attend a protest. Sign petitions. Donate to organizations like Black Lives Matter and the Marsha P. Johnson Institute. So, get out there and show your support today!
Educate Yourself: Although Juneteenth ended slavery in 1863, racism and many other forms of inequality towards African Americans are still alive and well today. So, educate yourself by reading books such as “White Tears Brown Scars” by Ruby Hamad, “The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness” by Michelle Alexander, and; “White Fragility” by Robin DiAngelo. Watch movies with black leads or check out documentaries like “13th” to help yourself learn about these issues.
In closing, make sure to check out our special Juneteenth playlists as well. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Happy Juneteenth!