Question about Juneteenth

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:White person here. I am torn, and it appears my Black friends are as well. Are we welcome? Is it happy for all of us, or should white people be considering it a more solemn occasion? One of my friends says white people should consider it a day for reflection and atonement. Others think it should be a happy celebration for all. There's no one right answer here, I think.

I didn't attend any celebration, but I did purchase lots from Black-owned businesses.

Omg, your friends are nuts. Juneteenth should absolutely be a holiday, but the idea that white oriole should reflect and atone is ignorant as hell and racist. Everyone should celebrate together. Some white people’s ancestors had slaves. Ancestors they’ve never met. Why I’m the he’ll should white people in 2022 atone? Unbelievable.

[Anonymous]

People, not oriole
Hell, not he’ll

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My father is an old white dude who lives in a flyover state. He saw an ad for his town's Juneteenth event, touting food, music, and festivities, and it emphasized that everyone was welcome. He thought it sounded like fun and wanted to show his support, so he and my mother went to the event. He was surprised to see that only about 5% of attendees were white, and thought that maybe he'd crashed a party that no one really wanted him at. For context, he lives in a liberal college town that is fairly diverse (for the region).

I'm curious--do people see Juneteenth as truly a holiday for everyone to celebrate, or is that mostly just lip service, and he should have read between the lines that this is a holiday for Black Americans? If you are Black, would you be happy to see other races celebrating Juneteenth with you, or would you prefer this to be an event primarily for Black people to celebrate together?

It's a holiday for everyone. The fact that so few white people chose to come to the celebration says something about the white people, not the intentions of the people who planned and hosted the event.

No it doesn't. I think of Juneteenth as a family-oriented holiday, with a picnic or backyard bbq. I grew up in Texas. Not going to a public event doesn't say anything about anyone. Nor does going.

Sheesh.

I think the PP's point was that no one was unwelcoming to white folks. They just decided to NOT show up. That is on them, not the organizers or black people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh my gosh, I would be thrilled to see white people at a Juneteenth celebration! I can’t imagine anyone would be offended that white people choose to celebrate the end of slavery.


-Black woman

Me too.

-Another black woman

[Anonymous]

I'm White and live in a college town too. I went last year and there was a robust presence of Blacks, but given that they're the minority in my town, there were more Whites. I felt it was a good celebration and I didn't feel out of place. I couldn't go this year because of travel. If they say all are welcome, I'd take that at face value.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know why it's called "Juneteenth" and not like emancipation day or something else?

[Anonymous]

Black person here, and I think it's great that he attended.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know why it's called "Juneteenth" and not like emancipation day or something else?

It's a regional holiday that evolved naturally, and then when the feds were looking for a way to commemorate the end of slavery, they chose to make it national.

But it's not emancipation day. That's a different day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My father is an old white dude who lives in a flyover state. He saw an ad for his town's Juneteenth event, touting food, music, and festivities, and it emphasized that everyone was welcome. He thought it sounded like fun and wanted to show his support, so he and my mother went to the event. He was surprised to see that only about 5% of attendees were white, and thought that maybe he'd crashed a party that no one really wanted him at. For context, he lives in a liberal college town that is fairly diverse (for the region).

I'm curious--do people see Juneteenth as truly a holiday for everyone to celebrate, or is that mostly just lip service, and he should have read between the lines that this is a holiday for Black Americans? If you are Black, would you be happy to see other races celebrating Juneteenth with you, or would you prefer this to be an event primarily for Black people to celebrate together?

It's a holiday for everyone. The fact that so few white people chose to come to the celebration says something about the white people, not the intentions of the people who planned and hosted the event.

No it doesn't. I think of Juneteenth as a family-oriented holiday, with a picnic or backyard bbq. I grew up in Texas. Not going to a public event doesn't say anything about anyone. Nor does going.

Sheesh.

NP. DH grew up in Texas and said people here are making it into a way bigger deal than it ever was for him. He grew up with this and is at work today, because it’s a regular work day for them. I happen to be off work the kids and it’s a regular day to us. Honestly, last year was the first year I ever heard of it.

[Anonymous]

Sincere question. How should people--ALL PEOPLE-- celebrate Juneteenth? Is it a BBQ holiday like Memorial Day or July 4th? Is it a shop the sales holiday like Presidents' Day? Is it a day of service like MLK Day?

And what company's marketing department is going to tell me how to celebrate it? White people are looking for some direction here. How can I be an ally while recognizing a terrible part of our country's history?

[Anonymous]

Another sincere question: should we wish people (any/all black/white/brown Americans) a Happy Juneteenth or offer any other salutation? It's a holiday weekend, so I normally would, but I'm unsure...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Juneteenth celebrates the official end of slavery in the US. It is an American holiday we should celebrate, regardless of skin tone.

No it doesn't. Please read up on it.

"Official" in the sense that, in Texas, people were still enslaved after the abolition of slavery. It took 6+ months for the remaining enslaved people to be freed. It's not like the plantation owning enslavers were gonna tell them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another sincere question: should we wish people (any/all black/white/brown Americans) a Happy Juneteenth or offer any other salutation? It's a holiday weekend, so I normally would, but I'm unsure...

I'm white and am very happy that slavery was ended in our country. It is a reason to celebrate. Now, cleaning up the mess (inequality, institutionalized racism, etc) created by slavery is another story. Acknowledging that slavery existed here and celebrating its abolition is a good thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know why it's called "Juneteenth" and not like emancipation day or something else?

It's a regional holiday that evolved naturally, and then when the feds were looking for a way to commemorate the end of slavery, they chose to make it national.

But it's not emancipation day. That's a different day.

Could be called "Last emancipation day" instead of "Juneteenth."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know why it's called "Juneteenth" and not like emancipation day or something else?

It's a regional holiday that evolved naturally, and then when the feds were looking for a way to commemorate the end of slavery, they chose to make it national.

But it's not emancipation day. That's a different day.

Could be called "Last emancipation day" instead of "Juneteenth."

Why?