Dating : How To Celebrate Juneteenth If It’s New To You

Juneteenth — a contraction of June 19th —celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, Texas slaveowners had still failed to tell their slaves they were free, so Union soldiers entered Texas to enforce the order.

Juneteenth celebrations began the following year and have grown since.

Juneteenth can feel difficult because it represents both the good and the bad in what makes the United States the country it is.

“It’s symbolic of a liberation, but one that was delayed due to consistent opposition and resistance to equality that is deeply rooted in white supremacy — something that all too often feels very American.”
-Jameelah Nasheed, Teen Vogue

As expressed on a season 4 episode of Black-ish:

“People are never gonna celebrate something they barely even want to admit happened.”

And yeah, true. But, as Vox shared in a video released today, Juneteenth 2020:

“All Americans should honor this day.”

Why?

Because it is such an integral chapter of our country’s history. This isn’t “just Black history” — it’s our history; i.e., not just when “they” were freed, but when slavery was abolished — and freedom granted to all of our people.

That is to say: it is as important as (and in many ways even more meaningful than) the 4th of July, referred to “Independence Day” despite the fact that Black Americans weren’t even considered to be people at that time and weren’t granted the same freedom.

“Fourth July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn… I am not included… Your high independence only reveals the immeasurable distance between us. The blessings in which you, this day, rejoice, are not enjoyed in common. The rich inheritance of justice, liberty, prosperity and independence, bequeathed by your fathers, is shared by you, not by me.”
– Frederick Douglass, July 5, 1852

Juneteenth, on the other hand, finally made this right, and is for everyone.

“What Juneteenth symbolizes, by contrast, is a true day of freedom. That’s something worth celebrating, and continuing to fight for — not just among black folks, but among everyone.”
-Jameelah Nasheed, Teen Vogue

Usually, Juneteenth is all about being outdoors with others — friends, family, neighbors — in the shape and form of picnics and parades.

But in light of ongoing covid concerns, there are countless virtual celebrations, from online museum tours to music and podcasts and discussions. Simply have yourself a(nother) Google, and meander through the interwebs to see what’s going on.

This step is particularly important in today’s climate, and, for now, one of the most important takeaways, especially for white people.

As Michelle Hillman wrote in her article “10 Things We Want White People to Do to Celebrate Juneteenth,”

“We want white people to deeply consider the wound of racism on the hearts of every Black American.”

And so, on that note…

Pro tip: it’s free on Netflix right now.

Feel appropriately shocked. Feel angered. Get heartbroken.

And once you’re left reeling and wondering “how the hell did we get to this?”, then learn more about the history and the answer to that question…

Pro tip: it is also free on Netflix (and YouTube) right now, and in fact millions of Netflix members (a 4,000+ percent increase) have watched 13th in the last three weeks. (So if you’re not one of them, you’re getting left behind.)

By the same director as When They See Us, Ava DuVernay, 13th is a 2016 documentary titled after the Thirteenth Amendment, which abolished slavery throughout the United States and ended involuntary servitude — save for one key loophole: except as a “punishment for conviction of a crime.” This film uncovers how this single line was exploited, and what led us to now.

As Michelle Hillman wrote,

“On Juneteenth we want white people to read, study Black history, Black poets, Black leaders, Black achievements.”

In other words, consume more than the work of our own demographic.

As Michelle Hillman wrote,

“We want white people to do things about racism… use their power, their privilege, their platforms of power to give space to Black and Brown leaders… be a crucible for change.”

What does “change” look like? A lot of different things, from new mindsets and conversations to active political gestures. Change is small and big, individual and systemic. The point is to start.

After all, at its core, Juneteenth is still a celebration; a coming together.

Here’s a good recipe to stir up from Tatanisha and Derrick at This Worthey Life. Or, if soda’s not your speed, here are a number of other Juneteenth food and drink recipes from Southern-food blogger Monique at Divas Can Cook.

Cheers — to all of us.