Happy Juneteenth, Black Love Fam! As we prepare to celebrate Juneteenth, we’re sharing with you ways that you can enjoy the holiday as well. Now, if you aren’t familiar with Juneteenth or aren’t 100% aware of the origin, don’t feel bad; that’s what this holiday is essentially all about — how African-Americans were the last to know. Now let’s break down Juneteenth, why the day means so much, and how we can celebrate and honor our ancestors. 

Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) marked when federal troops arrived in Galveston; Texas in 1865 to let the last slaves know they were free. While the Emancipation Proclamation issued in 1863 didn’t ensure all enslaved people’s freedom. It took almost three years for enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, to realize they’d gained their freedom, as the news was declared to them on June 19th, 1865 by Union General Gordan Granger. Once they were free, in 1866, the formerly enslaved began celebrating Freedom/Jubilee Day, which we now know as Juneteenth. 

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I started celebrating Juneteenth in college as an African-American studies minor. At that time, I met people who had celebrated their entire lives, and I also knew people who had never heard of the holiday like me. Once I understood the essence of what it truly meant, each year I’d prepare Juneteenth dinners for my friends (and still do!) and encourage them all to bring dishes that represent freedom to them. In 2020 when Juneteenth became a mainstream holiday, I couldn’t tell you how happy it  made me feel to know that this holiday I’d held close to me since my early twenties had become a holiday that the world was aware of. Maybe you’re like me and you started to celebrate in college, or you are from Texas and have celebrated your entire life. Or you’re celebrating for the first time this year since Juneteenth was declared a federal holiday on June 17th, 2021. Wherever you fall on the spectrum of awareness of the holiday, what’s most important is you are aware now, and you can teach your children the importance of this day. As a kid, some of my favorite memories were going to old navy and getting matching t-shirts with my Mom for the fourth of July and seeing the fireworks. Imagine my surprise as an adult learning that the very day we celebrate was not a day of freedom for people who looked like me. Now, as an adult, this year for the first time, my Mom and I are celebrating Juneteenth by watching the Fireworks in my hometown, prayerfully a new tradition that I get to partake in with my future children someday. 

If you’re ready to celebrate freedom (and the continued work this country needs to do to ensure true freedom – cough cough reparations) let’s discuss how the formerly enslaved people celebrated and how you can honor the holiday. 

Eat Red Foods 

On Juneteenth, it’s traditional to eat red foods such as strawberries, watermelon, red punch, cherry pie, red velvet cake, sausages, hot dogs and barbecue. Red is a symbol of the resilience, sacrifice and ingenuity of enslaved people. It also represents the blood of the enslaved people who lost their lives. My red symbol this year will be grilled meat, blood orange cake, and raspberries for champagne to toast to freedom. 

Attend a Local Juneteenth Celebration 

Over the years, communities and grassroots organizations have celebrated Juneteenth in various ways, including voter registration efforts, festivals, parades, street fairs, community gatherings, family celebrations, and public readings.

Put Your Good Clothes On 

If you were raised by Southern Black Baptist folk like I was, you already know what this means.  But now let’s talk about why. On the first Juneteenth, many freedmen tossed the garments they’d worn as slaves into the river and wore the finest clothing they had. As enslaved people, they had no control over what they wore so Juneteenth became a time to celebrate this newfound freedom. Legend has it that also that some enslaved people took the clothes of former slave owenrs and adorned themselves in them so they could dress well. Clothing remains a big part of Juneteenth celebrations. Whether you opt to dress up, wear significant colors or clothing with a message, Juneteenth is an opportunity to celebrate freedom in all its forms, even freedom to choose what you wear.

Teach the Next Generation About Juneteenth

Educate your children and family members on the importance of the holiday. There’s been so much conversation among my family about why we didn’t celebrate Juneteenth growing up. Well, there’s a reason for that. Our freedom in this country hasn’t come easy and true freedom is still owed to us, but what we have now is knowledge, each other, and the opportunity to arm the next generation with knowledge. As you do so, remind them how important it is to know the fullness of our history so that years from now, they’ll celebrate Juneteenth with the same regard as we all were taught to celebrate the 4th of July. And above all else, enjoy the day and support a Black-owned business with whatever celebration you host! 

Happy Juneteenth, Fam! Do you have any Juneteenth traditions that you partake in yearly? Share them in the comments below.