“The significance of Juneteenth is, thus, part of a continuum of moments where African Americans have advocated for their full participation in American citizenship and commanded the maintenance of the memory of our history and culture in the face of resistance and racism.” – Angela Tate, The National Museum of African American History and Culture Curator of Women’s History
“… the proliferation of Juneteenth events is taking place at the same time as the banning of critical race theory and curricula focused on slavery’s lasting effects. It is impossible to celebrate Juneteenth and simultaneously deny the teaching of America’s foundational legacy.” - Kellie Carter Jackson, The Atlantic (June 18, 2021)
January 1, 1863 marked the day that President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation would take effect, marking a major turning point in the hard fought battle to end slavery nationwide. But not everyone in Confederate territory would immediately be free. Freedom finally came on June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas and announced that the more than 250,000 enslaved black people in the state were free by executive decree, two months after the end of the Civil War and nearly two a half years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This day came to be known as "Juneteenth," by the newly freed people in Texas. The Emancipation Proclamation marked “only the beginning” of our country’s work to deliver on the promise of equality(*).
Although only recently in 2021 designated became a Federal holiday to mark the end of slavery in the United States, Juneteenth has been recognized for over one hundred and fifty years in Black communities across the United States. A combination of "June" and "nineteenth," the day is also known as Juneteenth Independence Day, Freedom Day, or Emancipation Day, and Jubilee Day. (The National Museum of African American History and Culture)
Juneteenth commands each of us to honor the courage, strength and determination of Black Americans, and to consider the progress made and the work yet to be done to build a more equitable, just, and inclusive America. With that commitment in mind, families/caregivers will find below resources for honoring the resilience of Black Americans and for talking with children of all races and backgrounds about Juneteenth, along with two core readings for adults to reflect on race and privilege.
Resources for Talking to Children: English
Juneteenth Digital Toolkit | National Museum of African American History and Culture
Understanding & Celebrating Juneteenth - National Museum of African American History and Culture
20 Inspiring Activities To Celebrate Juneteenth - We are teachers
Talking to Young Children About Juneteenth - Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum
Resources for Talking to Children: Spanish
Juneteenth Diversas Historias Americanas - Diverse American Stories
La Importancia de Juneteenth - Language Workers 4 Black Lives, Solidarity network of translators, interpreters, and language activists creating multilingual resources and providing language support for #BLM
Qué es el Juneteenth y por qué se celebra - Clarín, sitio de noticias de Argentina
Para Adultos / For Adults
The Role of Privilege (ENG) / El Rol del Privilegio (SPA)
The Intersectionality Wars (ENG) / Las guerras de Interseccionalidad (SPA)
(*) President Biden’s remarks after signing the bill creating the federal holiday in 2021, "the truth is, it’s not — simply not enough just to commemorate Juneteenth. After all, the emancipation of enslaved Black Americans didn’t mark the end of America’s work to deliver on the promise of equality; it only marked the beginning.”