What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth is an unofficial American holiday that is celebrated each year on June 19th. History.com states that it is the day American troops marched to Galveston, Texas in 1865 and announced to all slaves that they were freed.
Why do we celebrate Juneteenth?
The day honors the end of slavery in America because, even though the emancipation proclamation was signed two and a half years ago, slavery was still allowed in the South. Confederate General Robert E Lee surrendered two months prior to June 19th, but the news didn’t make it to Texas and other southern states until then.
We celebrate Juneteenth today to remember the pain slaves went through and to honor the progress that has been made for African Americans.
How can I celebrate Juneteenth?
Educate yourself.
Educating yourself further about the history of Juneteenth and African-Americans is a great thing to do any time of year, but especially as a way to celebrate Juneteenth.
Listen to a podcast or read a book about the struggles that black people in America face everyday. I recently read a book titled Dear Martin that was an excellent read. It’s about a teenage student who is the only black kid in his high school and how he chooses to navigate the world.
Good Housekeeping Magazine recommends watching an independent film titled Miss Juneteenth to learn about the historical Miss Juneteenth beauty pageant. The film will premiere on June 19th, 2021.
Educate your peers.
Unfortunately, many people still do not know about the history of Juneteenth. It’s important for those who do to educate their friends and acquaintances on this important event in American history so our country’s past is never forgotten or repeated.
Sign a petition.
Even though Juneteenth has been celebrated for hundreds of years, it is still not considered a National Holiday. If you want to do more to celebrate Juneteenth than have a cookout with friends, signing a petition is a great way to show your support for the holiday. You can sign a petition to make Juneteenth a National Holiday at change.org.
Patronize a black-owned business.
Supporting black-owned businesses is a wonderful way to show your support to the black community any day, but Juneteenth is an especially good time to visit a black-owned business. You can feel good about indulging in a delicious cheesecake when you buy it from Val’s Cheesecakes, a bakery located in Dallas, Texas.
Thank you for taking the time out of your day to educate yourself about Juneteenth and for supporting WeTalkRadio Network!
UPDATE 6/16/2021
Today the US Senate unanimously passed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act. The bill is heading to the House of Representatives for a vote. Juneteenth will become a National Holiday if it passes.
UPDATE 6/17/2021
The house passed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, and President Joe Biden signed it, making Juneteenth a federal holiday.