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Every year, I believe I can feel the love of the ancestors reaching out to me, supporting with their strength, urging me to keep going. They remind me to celebrate my freedom; and yes, to eat a little BBQ and drink some strawberry soda pop.
Juneteenth gives us a special day to celebrate liberty and to honor the courage of those who stepped out from bondage to carve out lives in unfamiliar and treacherous frontiers. ...
On June 19th, 1865 - Juneteenth - two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas with news that the Civil War had ended and those who had been slaves were free. Juneteenth, Nestled between Flag Day and Independence Day, is another powerful anchor in the American experience.On June 19th - later to be known as Juneteenth - in Galveston, Texas, African Americans also gathered to celebrate. The festivities centered around family, friends, and community and was a time for thanksgiving, reflection, remembering, and prayer.
In counter-point to their experiences as "Property of the Massa", the freed men and woman dressed up and served up a bounty of food which included a main course featuring - of course - barbecue and red soda water.
This year, there will be celebrations in cities and towns from Nacogdoches, Texas to White Plains, New York to Roanoke, Virginia; in other words, all across America. These commemorations range from traditional parades and cookouts, to scuba diving demonstrations to more than a dozen Afrospear bloggers enlisting their talents to honor Juneteeth by creating dedicated posts on their individual blogs.
What do you do?
Comments: (152)
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By: MrsVerMae on 6/23/2008 7:58PM
Hey I'm really celebrating today! Guess what taday is all? My birthday! Yes, I was born on June 19....Juneteenth! Im so blessed to be born on Freedom day! My heart goes out to all ... who gave their lives for me...to be here taday. So I'm having a big party this weekend and all my family and friends are coming!
MrsVerMae ..... The Bay Area 510
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By: Ms Certain on 6/19/2008 11:33AM
had no knowledge of Juneteenth until I became a correctional officer for a state prison. The African American inmates with the staff support prepared a celebration. The celebration included barbeque, greens, potato salad, and refreshments. Its pretty sad when you learn history in prison!
I grew up in Tennessee and I do not remember one mention or celebration of Juneteenth. Unfortunately, much of African History was not taught in the schools I attended and my family seemed to have little history knowledge.
As a parent I have made it my responsibility to teach my children. I have three children and they know and understand the history of Juneteenth.
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By: atn on 6/19/2008 11:34AM
it is a shame that most white americans do not understand the importants of this day. it is up to black people to hold our heads high and remember from were we came and to look to the future knowing that we can achieve anything. much love to all the people of the world
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By: NAM VET on 6/19/2008 3:14PM
I like reading others comments but must respond to this one. I am 72 years old from Louisiana (home of Willis Reed). I remember us celebrating the 19th of June. My Dad would get a truck from the "big Boss's" company and take as many people that could fit in it to the "Corney Creek" and we would swim in the water (as kids) while the women fried chicken and prepared cold slaw and other goodies. We did not call it Juneteenth but after joining the military around the '70's it started being referred to as Juneteenth. I checked with my hometown and found they do not celebrate it anymore but some people still come to town from Texas and get together with my homefolks in celebrating the date. Oh yes, no blacks worked on the 19th of June in the old days. I still cookout with my family on this date - always took a holiday on the 19th. I even celebrated it in Vietnam with the brothers.
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By: ROOSEVELT C. FINCHER on 6/19/2008 11:58AM
I KNOW ABOUT JUNTEENTH.IT SAD THAT ALL AFRICIAN AMERICAN,S OF AGE DO NOT KNOW ABOUT JUNTEENTH. WE MUST DO A BETTER JOB OF ENFORMING OUR YOUNG
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By: krystal on 6/19/2008 12:02PM
i never know about june 19 and i dont think they teach u that in school
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By: dorothy harrs on 6/19/2008 11:56AM
WE NEED TO SPREAD THE WORD AND HOW IMPORTANT THIS DAY IS.Because i really did not know about this special day until late in my life.I will celebrate the rest of my life.
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By: ANJA on 6/19/2008 3:20PM
I MUST SAY THAT I HAD NEVER EVER HEARD OF THIS UNTIL WE MOVED FROM CHICAGO TO DALLAS TX,AND WE HAVE NOT CELEBRATED AND WILL NOT CELEBRATE IT!!TO CELEBRATE SOMETHING LIKE THAT IS JUST WRONG!!ALMOST 3YRS LATER!!AND TO SAY THAT THE WHITE MASTERS DIDNT KNOW,LAUGHABLE!!AND IN 1865 WHERE DID THE RED SODA COME FROM??IT JUST WRONG!!
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By: Ronald Banks on 6/19/2008 12:17PM
I found out about Juneteenth about 15 years ago and since then my Family and I have celebrated this wonderful and Historic day
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By: Jimmy on 6/19/2008 12:23PM
Obama wouldnt have any pride in this holiday which is why he feels it is ok to get on national t.v. and refer to black men as "boys" Either knowingly or ignorant of the fact that "boy" is a southern U.S. white racist and slave owner term to dehumanize the black male slaves and men. Obama is not getting my vote and say that makes you realize just how much of a fraud he really is.
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