Nineteen Ways to Celebrate Juneteenth
“Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day, is celebrated annually on June 19 to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States.
The Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Abraham Lincoln on Jan. 1, 1863, declared freedom for enslaved people in Confederate states. However, it took over two years for the news to reach enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas.
On June 19, 1865, Union Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston and announced the end of slavery, effectively emancipating the remaining enslaved individuals in Texas. This momentous event became known as Juneteenth, a combination of "June" and "nineteenth."
Juneteenth has become an occasion to honor ancestors, recognize their sacrifices, and celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black Americans to the nation. The holiday is marked by various activities such as parades, picnics, musical performances, historical reenactments and educational events, fostering a sense of community, unity and pride.
It offers an opportunity to educate and raise awareness about the history of slavery, the struggles endured by African Americans, and the ongoing fight against systemic racism. Juneteenth empowers individuals to engage in conversations, advocate for equality, and work towards creating a more just society.”- Senior Airman Jaliil Smith, June 19, 2023
Our family first learned about Juneteenth when our kids were small, and we attended a Juneteenth celebration at James Madison’s Montpelier. Now that it’s a federal holiday, more people know about it, and I think it’s a unique opportunity for families and individuals to engage with both the legacy of slavery and the resilience of the Black community in a land not their own. For this year, here are 19 ways I offer you to choose from if you’d also like to learn and celebrate, too:
Listen to Art & Theology’s Juneteenth playlist, a combination of music from across time and genres that celebrates “Black joy, liberation and faith.”
Watch this simple video from PBS kids to introduce the holiday.
Make a plan to visit Montpelier and see the Enslaved Community Tour, learning about the paradox of a founding father (and city’s University’s creator) who enslaved others while advocating for freedom.
Watch this free documentary Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom to discover the history of the celebration and the legacy of slavery, the Black church in America, and ways of resistance and hope that continue to emerge (YouTube or PBS)
5. Watch and listen to this amazing spoken word poem and rap by Sho Baraka about the Image of God in Blackness.
6. Choose a picture book to share as a family that introduces the holiday
7. Preorder a book from a Black author; I’d recommend this one: How Far to the Promised Land by Esau McCaulley— preorders are incredibly important to authors because they tell publishers how much to print and what royalties will be. This story about God’s grace and the terrors of the South promises to be a powerful read.
8. Read this reflection on Bearing Witness, and/or watch the two poem/performance art songs mentioned in it by Black artist Tobe Nwigwe that reflect on being a Black man of faith in a violent world.
9. Read this opinion piece from Mennonite Mission Network about how if we are not Black, Juneteenth should be a time of reflection (the author then gives a variety of ways to respond).
10. Begin reading Who Will Be A Witness by Drew Hart to be challenged to imagine how communities of faith can work toward justice from a deeply rooted theological perspective
11. Listen to poet Amanda Gorman share on NPR (a seven minute listen) and read her poem “Fury and Faith” in celebration of Juneteenth.
12. Read the National Museum of African American History’s Document about how to talk to kids about slavery and freedom
13. Listen to the story of a Black woman today— try this one from Patricia Taylor about her experience in the church, especially majority white spaces
14. Become a patron of a Black content creator— for example, Black Liturgies, a spiritual formation and liturgy space created by Cole Riley. Paying folks when we consume their content is a place to begin reparations and to show respect for emotional and intellectual labor.
15. Learn about Fannie Lou Hamer in this short film about her life that focuses not just on her activism but on her life as mother and friend
16. Soak in some African American Art from the National Museum of African American History and consider using it for visio divina.
17. Listen to a conversation about urban renewal, celebrating and solidarity with Be the Bridge’s Latasha Morrison with business owner and creative Garrison Hayes
18. Support a Black owned business (Portrait Coffee) that’s changing the narrative around coffee in Atlanta and beyond, and order some beans to enjoy!
19. Consider supporting initiatives that provide mental health resources for Black women and girls. If you’ve benefitted from therapy yourself, is there a way to make it more accessible to those whose trauma is wrapped up in our country’s existence?
Have you celebrated Juneteenth before? How did you celebrate this year if you did? Let me know if you checked out any of these invitations; I’d love to hear about your thoughts!
