Embracing Juneteenth: A Journey Towards Celebration and Awareness

Growing up in the greater LA area, I was unaware of the significance of Juneteenth. When it came to American history, I knew of the “big” moments ─ the Boston Tea Party, the Louisiana Purchase, and Apollo 11. It wasn’t until I went to college that I understood what had occurred on June 19, 1865. The irony is, up until that date, the black slaves of Texas were unaware of their new status in American society.

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Three years into the Civil War of 1861, American society began a shift toward ending slavery when President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. It was a fractured time in American history. Although the President’s issuance marked the beginning of the end of slavery, some southern states fought to continue the practice up until the last Confederate army surrendered in the Spring of 1865. Despite Lincoln’s declaration and the end of the Civil War, there was an estimated 25,000 black men, women, and children still enslaved in Texas.?

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On the morning of June 19th, Union Major General Gordon Granger docked at Galveston Island to command federal troops to enforce the emancipation of slaves. It is believed that slaves were wholly unaware of their pronounced freedom at the time.

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Since then, Juneteenth has gone by many names over time, including Emancipation Day, Jubilee Day, and Black Independence Day. Yet, until 2021, when it became a?national holiday, the existence and meaning of Juneteenth remained largely unknown to many Americans. It is not often taught in schools and has been misunderstood as a holiday only observed by African Americans.??

Juneteenth is now an opportunity to build community through events such as barbecues, street fairs, family reunions, parades, and church gatherings. Several communities even hold annual “Ms. Juneteenth” pageants.??

You can spend the Juneteenth holiday as a time to reflect and celebrate African American culture through music,?food,?and fellowship. Here are?several?ways everyone can commemorate Juneteenth:?

• Research the history of Juneteenth.?
• Join a community celebration or event.?
• Support a?Black-owned business.?
• Spread the word about the meaning and traditions of the holiday.?
• Volunteer with or donate to supportive organizations.?
• Host a Juneteenth celebration.?

Co-op is committed to being part of the solution where equality is celebrated. This Juneteenth, join us in honoring and celebrating African American culture and history.?