Juneteenth - traditions?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Isn’t it specifically the day a group of slaves in texas learned about the emancipation proclamation? And that’s why it’s a bigger deal in Texas? But it grew to be celebrated in many places, including DC. A positive Texas contribution!

Yes, it took a long time for the news to travel.

It's a Texas holiday but it's good that it's spread all over the country.

[Anonymous]

This is not a new thing, at least among black families and communities. I would wager that black people have always celebrated this milestone, but it became a state holiday in Texas. Please don't erase the significance the day has for black people all over the country by trying so hard to give credit to the state of Texas for creating it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is not a new thing, at least among black families and communities. I would wager that black people have always celebrated this milestone, but it became a state holiday in Texas. Please don't erase the significance the day has for black people all over the country by trying so hard to give credit to the state of Texas for creating it.

I'm OP. My black family never celebrated. That's why I'm looking for suggestions. I think it's an important holiday and would like to create traditions for my children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is not a new thing, at least among black families and communities. I would wager that black people have always celebrated this milestone, but it became a state holiday in Texas. Please don't erase the significance the day has for black people all over the country by trying so hard to give credit to the state of Texas for creating it.

I'm black (child of immigrants), and grew up in a mostly AA area a few hours south of DC. Never heard of it growing up, but seems to be a big thing here in DC. I think that's a good thing, and I'm going to see if I can introduce it to my 8yo this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Isn’t it specifically the day a group of slaves in texas learned about the emancipation proclamation? And that’s why it’s a bigger deal in Texas? But it grew to be celebrated in many places, including DC. A positive Texas contribution!

Yes, it took a long time for the news to travel.

It's a Texas holiday but it's good that it's spread all over the country.

I wrote this but after reading this link, I realize that I didn't have it quite right.

https://www.juneteenth.com/history.htm

[Anonymous]

PG County usually holds a Juneteenth festival but it's obviously cancelled this year. I've attended that in the past few years to celebrate. I think it's great more people are recognizing this holiday.

[Anonymous]

I think it's understandably a bigger deal in the south, since most northern slaves had criminalized slavery way earlier. It's the equivalent of Emancipation Day for the Confederate states.

[Anonymous]

I am white but from the south but my impression of Juneteenth is that churches would often have gatherings at the church they called homecoming and would have tons of good food following a church service.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it's understandably a bigger deal in the south, since most northern slaves had criminalized slavery way earlier. It's the equivalent of Emancipation Day for the Confederate states.

It is gaining popularity all over the U.S. I guess you're not following the news related to Juneteenth...

Nike, Twitter and Square have made it a paid holiday for their employees within the last week. 47 states now recognize Juneteenth as a holiday.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/11/business/nike-juneteenth-holiday-trnd/index.html
https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/nation-world/twitter-makes-juneteenth-company-holiday/507-ba70222e-0ba0-4871-821e-9b0a00437870

[Anonymous]

OP here. One thing nobody has mentioned here is celebrating with red food and drink. Red punches and sodas, red velvet cake, BBQ, watermelon and other red foods seem to be a consistent tradition. In case others are interested, I'll post a couple links I found interesting:

https://www.ebony.com/exclusive/juneteenth-explaining-an-unsung-holiday/#:~:text=Remember%2C%20barbecue%20and%20strawberry%20soda,colored%20drinks%20make%20your%20Juneteenth.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/what-is-juneteenth

https://thedailytexan.com/2017/06/18/juneteenth-foods-to-eat-to-celebrate-the-historic-day

[Anonymous]

In DC, some people also celebrate Emancipation Day on April 16th. Since most of the people that I know who live in the area did not grow up here, and possibly because of the typical weather in June vs April, I know more people who celebrate Juneteenth -- usually with cookouts and local parades. It also often coincides with the official end of school for the summer -- and many of the activities that I know about are very amily-focused.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Isn’t it specifically the day a group of slaves in texas learned about the emancipation proclamation? And that’s why it’s a bigger deal in Texas? But it grew to be celebrated in many places, including DC. A positive Texas contribution!

Yes, but not just "a group of slaves" - it's the day the last enslaved people in the US were freed. It's the actual end of slavery, as opposed to the date of the Proclamation.

Slavery continues to this day. Juneteenth is a beautiful holiday, but there is still legalized slavery to this day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:never heard of it,what is it?

https://www.history.com/news/what-is-juneteenth

Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) is a holiday commemorating this day, which marked the effective end of slavery in the United States.

Thanks for answering the question, PP. I grew up outside the US but lived in the south for a while and have never heard of this. Probably not surprising as the town was very segregated. Why aren’t the celebrations a big thing here?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:never heard of it,what is it?

https://www.history.com/news/what-is-juneteenth

Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) is a holiday commemorating this day, which marked the effective end of slavery in the United States.

Thanks for answering the question, PP. I grew up outside the US but lived in the south for a while and have never heard of this. Probably not surprising as the town was very segregated. Why aren’t the celebrations a big thing here?

People prefer to pretend that slavery never existed. Celebrating the end of slavery would require them to acknowledge the horror that existed for hundreds of years in this country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Isn’t it specifically the day a group of slaves in texas learned about the emancipation proclamation? And that’s why it’s a bigger deal in Texas? But it grew to be celebrated in many places, including DC. A positive Texas contribution!

Yes, but not just "a group of slaves" - it's the day the last enslaved people in the US were freed. It's the actual end of slavery, as opposed to the date of the Proclamation.

Important to note that rhe Emancipation Proclamation did NOT end slavery. It only abolished slavery in the states that were *in rebellion* there were several states that remained in the Union-- including Maryland and west Virginia-- where slavery was still legal. It was abolished by state constitution in those states throughout the Civil War with many only outlawing towards the end of rhe war in 1865. In other words, only months before Juneteeth and years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

Rhe actual end of slavery then came months after Juneteenth with thr passing of the 13th Amendment.

That said, Juneteenth is a wonderful celebration and I hope to brinf my chikdren to some celebrations when such public things can be held.