The North -Americans have been celebrating July 4 as the country Day of Independence Since the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. However, for many North -Americans, specifically the North -Americans have declined from enslaved Africans, freedom and independence came much after 1776. As racial injustice has advanced in the United States and all over the world, celebrating the fourth of July, it has made less sense for many people, especially black people. For many, Jueteenth has become the celebration of real independence.
Junteeenth, held on June 19It marks the day of 1865 when people were enslaved in Galveston, Texas, he was informed of his freedom, for two years after the signing of the emancipation proclamation. It is a day of reflection, education, celebration and action. Black activists had argued to be Junteeenth officially recognized as a federal holiday For years before former President Joe Biden did it on June 17, 2021.
This federal recognition by Junteenth is crucial to recognizing the often unimportant history of the United States. Check out these significant and pleasant activities if you ask yourself how to celebrate Jueteenth.
Learn the crucial story of the holidays
The history of the United States is always explained from the perspective of the whites. This erases the story of all the others who lived on this land before the Europeans and Europeans arrived in the abduction and brought to this land illegally. Learning stories often rare Of these people is an excellent way to celebrate Jueteenth.
Junteenth, also known as Black Independence Day, Freedom Day, Emancipation Day, and much more, is a North -American Festival that commemorates the freedom of enslaved Africans in the south. The name “Junteenth” combines words “June” and “ninety”, as it is celebrated annually on June 19, the day when the last enslaved Africans were released in Texas. Although President Abraham Lincoln’s emancipation proclamation formally released enslaved people in the Confederate states in 1863, slavery was not officially abolished in the United States until the ratification of the 13th amendment to the Constitution in 1865.
Junteenth has been celebrated since 1866, commemorating the first anniversary of the farmer’s announcement in Galveston. Initially, Junteenth’s celebrations were only held within the Texas Black Communities. However, these celebrations soon spread throughout the country.
Today, there are all kinds of activities to continue this celebrated tradition, such as parades, cultural festivals, educational events, family meetings and community service projects. All these events celebrate and honor North -American history and culture.
How to celebrate Junteenth
Celebrating Junteenth can be done individually or in community with others. Many cities, especially those with great black communities, host public activities ranging from education and defense to live art and entertainment. Here are some of the ways to celebrate Junyenth this year.
Assist to a local Juneenth event
Many cities welcome Junteenth FestivalsParades, concerts or fairs. They often include live music, black sellers, food trucks and speakers. Ensure -you have to wear your red, white and blue dress, for the June -American flag, not the North Flag.
Amost or join -te to a kitchen or potluck
Gather -he with friends and family to prepare and eat traditional red Food for Junteenthsuch as barbecue, red velvet cake and red punch. This tradition goes back to the early celebrations of La Junte, when communities specifically prepared red foods as a symbol of blood spill, resilience and sacrifice.
Support black -owned companies
The support and elevation of the black community is crucial every day, but especially in Junteenth. Do — a point a Buy black businessmenArtists or restaurants this Junyenth. You can find different businesses that interest you on social networks or you can support local local -owned local companies in your area.
Read books or look at documentaries
The community readings of the emancipation proclamation were part of some of the first celebrations of Junteenth. Take a current approach to this tradition and read the literature of black authors or consume media such as films made by black directors. You can do it by hosting a reading group of powerful texts or speeches by Black Thinkers -Frederick Douglass, Toni Morrison, James Baldwin, Audre Lorde and more, and discussing them together.
Fantastic books to check include “The heat of other Suns” of Isabel Wilkerson or “Four -Cental Souls” By Ibram X. Kendi and Keisha N. Blain. Movies and series you can see include 13th, high on pig, or Miss Juneteenth.
Visit a museum or historic place
African American History Museums o Local milestones are powerful spaces for education and reflection. Many celebrate events for Junteenth that offer great learning opportunities. Look for black history museums or historical places in your area to obtain possible opportunities.
Participate in a group dialogue
Organize or attend a community discussion or virtual panel on racial justice history, equity or civil rights. This is a great time to bring together people you know they could benefit from these conversations. Or you can attend these events and share the information you learn to educate them in your community.
Volunteer or donation
Educational and educational awareness is more important than ever current political climate. Many lawyers/activists are working to ensure that the history of this important holiday is not erased. This board supports organizations that focus on racial equity, education or community development, such as the National Museum of African African History and Culture.
Contact legislators or educators
You can do even more actions this Juneteenth defending the inclusion of black history in school curricula or local policies that promote equity. This is necessary, as the books and classes that surround black history are banning the whole country.
Join -s to a march or protest
North -black Americans have been using their constitutional right to freedom of assembly for generations. Honor Jueteent, literally, defending what is right. Participates or organizes events that honor freedom as the continued injustice is raised. Local marches and other demonstrations are planned in your city you can search now.
Create or share art
Write poetry, paint, sing, dance or publish on social networks to express what Junteteenth means for you. This is a great way to involve children in your Junteenth celebrations. In addition, you can invite local Black artists To share his art focused on issues of freedom, resilience and joy. This could be done at home, in a community space or virtually. When you publish on social media, you also consider replenishing black creators.
Teach children through craft or history
Other ways to involve children to celebrate Junteenth include reading children’s books, such as Junteenth by Mazie of Floyd Cooper, or activities such as crafts that help children understand the importance of the day.
Create a Junteenth Freedom Playlist
It would curate a playlist with black artists music that covers genres and eras: spiritual, jazz, blues, hip-hop, R&B, soul, etc. Share it with friends and discuss the meanings of the songs, or just sing and dance with joy.
Organize a spoken word or an open night
Celebrate black voices and storytelling with others this June. Gather -with others to share poems, speeches, songs or stories about freedom, heritage and resistance on a night of local open microphone.
Create a Junyent graph or graphic
It combines writing, art, history, and interviews in a handmade brochure or digital publication on Junteenth and what freedom means today. You can make copies to share with friends and family, or you can make a digital graph to share on social networks.
Research your family story
Family and community are some of the main aspects that have contributed to the resilience of North -American blacks for generations. Investigate your family tree or conduct an interview with elderly on their experiences and reflections on freedom and progress.
Reflects on the future
Another way that the north -black Americans have been able to overcome such an unpleasant story is to keep hope alive. This together, try to do this and celebrate -reflecting on your hope for the future. What do you think of freedom in 10, 20, 50 years? What hopes do you have for racial equity? Think -writing it in a magazine or discussing it with friends and family.
Frequently asked questions
How should you wish a black person a “happy Juneteenth?”
Say “happy Juneteenth” it is usually appropriate to say to a black person (or anyone else) to participate in the holidays. However, it is important to consider how a person celebrates the holidays before they wish them a happy Juneteenth. For some, it is a time of celebration with the community, while for others it can be a moment of moving reflection. In the case of the latter, consider saying someone: “I hope you have a good Juneteenth.”
In addition, it may not be appropriate to announce “Happy Juneteenth” to a black stranger. Think about the context in which you talk to someone before announcing it and do not distinguish black people.
How to celebrate Jueteenth respectfully?
To celebrate Juneteenth respectfully, you focus -you are educating, sharing knowledge with other people, raising black voices, supporting black companies, giving time or resources and involving other forms of law.
