Happy Juneteenth Day!
What is it?
On June 19th, 1865 Major General Gordon Granger proclaimed freedom for enslaved people in Texas. This occurred two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. This event is now known as Juneteenth. It is also referred to as Freedom Day. It is an annual holiday, which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. This celebration of liberation has existed for African Americans since the late 1800s. Making it the longest running African American holiday. Today its purpose is to celebrate Black culture, history and life. An opportunity is provided to educate, support and appreciate throughout the day and beyond. This ceremony is filled with story-telling, cultural performances, reverence for the Ancestors and honors for achievement.
For some… Juneteenth celebrations involve a barbecue and fireworks, for others it means shopping at Black owned businesses, or sharing history.
Did you know:
President Biden signed a bill declaring Juneteenth a federal
holiday on June 17th, 2021.
Celebrating Juneteenth
For local celebrations in Minneapolis and surrounding areas:
Soul of the Southside Juneteenth Festival
Brooklyn Center Community Center
(Amuure Holistic Healing has no affiliation with the sponsors of the above events or the events in any way.)
Looking for new ways to celebrate Juneteenth this year? Why not try some of these…
Find an event in your neighborhood
Juneteenth is a time to come together, and there are often neighborhoods filled with street fairs, performances and delicious food.Cook some traditional food
Indulge in your food and cook a beloved family recipe or your guilty pleasure. It’s always a great idea to order from a new (or your favorite) Black-owned restaurant.Support Black-owned businesses
Treat yourself while supporting a Black-owned business. It’s a win-win! You can buy anything from self-care to home decor which is what makes this idea so great!
Educate yourself!
Read books written by Black authors and poets. Speak with family and friends. Try finding out more about your history and heritage - you should be proud of it!
Connect with things that bring you joy
Look after yourself! Have a self-care evening, listen to Black artists (June is also Black Music Month), spend time with family and friends.Allow yourself to feel emotions
Juneteenth can bring with it, a plethora of emotions - this is okay! Acknowledging your emotions is a positive way to recognize how you feel, what you need, and to heal.
For non-Black allies:
Listen to Black voices
Juneteenth is about celebrating Black liberation and the Black American experience. Try seeking out rallies, stories, articles and artwork that offer authentic Black experiences and perspectives to learn from.
Respect Black spaces
Aim to amplify, not invade! Every American should learn about and honor Juneteenth, most importantly in a respectful and understanding way. It is important to acknowledge Juneteenth as an American holiday, even if you do not celebrate it - send a ‘Happy Juneteenth!’ Message to your friends and colleagues that celebrate the day.Learn your history
Honor Juneteenth. Respect Black history, culture and identity. Educate yourself on Black history. Juneteenth is an opportunity to talk about racial history.Remember… Black History is American History - Happy Juneteenth!
