Monique West The Fourth of July is coming up but before that is another very important holiday. Yes, Juneteenth is an official holiday now and holidays are meant to be celebrated. But before you can celebrate Juneteenth appropriately, it’s important to know exactly what Juneteenth is.
What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth is short for June 19th. Although Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1862, it wasn’t until 1865 that federal troops arrived in Texas to free the last known remaining slaves, officially ending slavery in the United States.
5 Family-Friendly Ways to Celebrate Juneteenth
Now that you know what Juneteenth is, here are some thoughtful ways you can celebrate it with your family.
1. Read Some Juneteenth Books
One of the best ways to celebrate Juneteenth is to teach your kids about it. Juneteenth only became a federal holiday in 2021. Before that, most people knew nothing about Juneteenth. It’s bad enough that slavery continued for almost 3 more years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Let’s not allow years to go by before our kids are educated about Juneteenth.
These are some great books about Juneteenth to read with your children.
2. Visit an African American History Museum
There are museums across the United States that are dedicated to teaching people about African American history. In Washington, DC, there is the National Museum of African American History & Culture. In Cincinnati, there’s the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. In New Orleans, there’s the Whitney Plantation. In New York, there’s the African Burial Ground.
3. Have a Juneteenth Party!
A Juneteenth party or BBQ is a great way to celebrate Juneteenth with your family. It’s typical for Americans to celebrate the 4th of July with gatherings and BBQs, so why not Juneteenth? The goal should be to make sure Juneteenth becomes seen as a regular national holiday, an important part of not only African American history but American history, celebrated by all Americans.
Check out these Juneteenth Decorations on Amazon4. Support Black-Owned Businesses
Regardless of your race, supporting a black-owned business by shopping or eating there is a great way to celebrate Juneteenth. When you shop at a black-owned business, you are helping black communities build wealth, something that is harder for African Americans because of years of being enslaved. Check out these 100 Black-Owned Businesses.
Shop Black-Owned Businesses on Amazon Now5. Watch a Documentary About Slavery
Instead of your typical family movie night, choose a movie about slavery to educate your family about the struggles African-Americans endured during slavery. I won’t lie, these aren’t easy to watch movies but as hard as it can be to watch, it’s good to have a reminder of how far the world has come, in order to have hope for the future.
Top Documentaries About Slavery on Amazon PrimeThese are only five ideas for celebrating Juneteenth but there is no right way to celebrate it. The goal is to remember what the day is all about.
If you happen to be in the Atlanta area and are interested in visiting an African American history landmark, make sure to check out the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park.
