June 14, 2022
June 19th is the National Celebration of Juneteenth
What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States. June 19, 1865 was the day enslaved African-Americans in the state of Texas were informed by Major General Gordan Granger in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. Since 1865, Juneteenth has largely been celebrated in the African-American community. In 2020, New York State made Juneteenth (June 19) an official state holiday, starting in 2021.
Ways to Celebrate Junteenth
Here are some ideas for activities to engage in:
- Self-Educate: Educate yourself on the history of racism around the world and in America. Here are some resource examples:
- Visit: History Channel: What is Juneteenth?
- Visit African American Resource Network
- Act: Take action to fight injustice by attending a peaceful protest, volunteering with or donating to a civil rights organization, and vote.
- Reflect: Take care of your mental health and well-being. Exercise, meditate, connect with family/friends. Some questions to discuss might be: Why Juneteenth should be a national holiday? How can Juneteenth be included in school curriculum in an impactful way? How can my actions lead to long lasting and systemic change for a just and equitable society?