How Do We Celebrate Juneteenth?
Still In Its Infancy As A Federal Holiday, Juneteenth Is An Invitation For New Traditions and Opportunities
On June 17, 2021, the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act was signed by President Joe Biden. The signing of this document officially declares June 19 to be federally recognized as Juneteenth. Though it is just now being federally recognized, Juneteenth has been celebrated globally since 1865, commemorating the end of slavery in the United States and honoring the achievements and lives within the Black community.
“It feels as if African Americans are finally having their culture celebrated a bit more,” says junior Britney Thomas.
In the past, Juneteenth has taken on many other names. Some of the more common names include Jubilee Day, Freedom Day, Emancipation Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, and Black Independence Day. In Galveston, Texas, the very first annual Juneteenth celebration was initiated by the Galveston Juneteenth committee in 1979. To now have this annual celebration nationally recognized is seen by many ACIT students as encouraging and meaningful.
“Although we have things like MLK Day and Black History Month–which happens to be [during] the shortest month of the year–Juneteenth is something that African Americans have celebrated for decades now,” says junior Britney Thomas. “They’re honoring their ancestors and the battles they fought so that we could be here today.”
The declaration of Juneteenth becoming a federal holiday is not only historical, but incredibly empowering.
“I am extremely happy Juneteenth is a federal holiday,” says junior Charlie Ohdiambo.
“Although it should have already been a federal holiday a long time ago, I as well as many others are thrilled that it is finally getting the recognition it finally deserves.”
Celebrating Juneteenth
Though Juneteenth is recognized on June 19, many people celebrate for days, weeks, and even the entire month. There are events that last for weeks with dozens of guest speakers, vendors, musicians, and other entertainment– these events mostly take place in Juneteenth’s origin state, Texas.
“Juneteenth is a day spent celebrating the day slaves were emancipated and that was basically the start of an everlasting fight of African-Americans trying to be treated equally and not as the ‘lesser minority’,” says junior Tony Logan-Hugh.
“It feels as if African Americans are finally having their culture celebrated a bit more,” says Thomas.
Since becoming a federal holiday, families all over the country are making their own traditions. There is a very wide variety of traditions that come with celebrating Juneteenth: fishing, barbecuing, spending time with family, prayer services, rodeos, baseball games, and showcasing Black art and music.
Juneteenth doesn’t have any right or wrong ways to be celebrated; it can be as simple as an acknowledgement or as big as a city parade. It is a time of inspiration and love and awareness, and it is to be celebrated by everyone!
“My uncle has recently started hosting cookouts on Juneteenth, which the majority of my family attends,” said Ohdiambo.
Unfortunately, since it’s the end of the year and the media center has been closed for the entirety of May, ACIT is not planning to formally celebrate Juneteenth as a school. Nonetheless, media specialist Mrs. Amy Osjerkis (Mrs. O) encourages everyone to educate themselves and uplift Black voices on this day off from school and work. Regarding next year, however, Ms. O does have some plans in mind.
“We will highlight authors, books, online resources such as TED Talks, YouTube Channels, graphic novels, websites that educate and create awareness of the Juneteenth Federal holiday,” says Mrs. O. “ We will also post inspirational quotes that celebrate and highlight positive messages of Black culture, life and people!”
Mrs. O recommends some reads (which are available in the media center) for students interested in learning more about the importance of Juneteenth and Black culture:
How to be An AntiRacist (Ibram Kendi, 2019)
The 1619 Project (New York Times, 2019)
Between the World and Me (Ta-Nehisi Coates, 2015)
Homegoing (Yaa Gyasi, 2016)
Caste (Isabel Wilkerson, 2020)
Dear Martin (Nic Stone, 2017)
Just Mercy (Bryan Stevenson, 2014)
Invisible Man (Ralph Ellison, 1952)
Fire Next Time (James Baldwin, 1963)
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (Maya Angelou, 1969)
Beloved (Toni Morrison, 1987)
Underground Railroad (Colson Whitehead, 2016)
The Importance of Educating Ourselves
Since June 19 falls on a Sunday this year, ACIT is off from school on Friday, June 17.
This day off from school is meant to celebrate Black lives and better educate ourselves. Over the extended weekend, take a moment to not only listen to Black voices but support Black owned businesses and donate to supportive organizations.
“It is so important to celebrate and seek to understand the story behind Juneteenth, as it helps everyone be a better informed and empathetic citizen of the world,” says Mrs. O. “I invite all ACIT community members to ‘read the walls’ of our Media Center, as we celebrate diversity everyday.”
Recognizing the role you personally play in the fight for equality is important. For non-Black folk, it is easy to contribute to harmful ideologies and systemic racism without even realizing it. This is a time for education and to seek to understand the role you play in the fight against racism.
