What Is Juneteenth, and How Do I Celebrate It?

(Note: The author of this article is not Black, and the purpose of this article is to educate non-Black folks on the importance of Juneteenth. Furthermore, the author of this article would never presume to instruct Black folks on a holiday that they’ve been celebrating for years.)

#Juneteenth is a powerful moment in black history. It commemorates the end of slavery in America.

Here's why today is important for the United States. pic.twitter.com/ZQYh1N2OKU

— The Root (@TheRoot) June 19, 2019

Also called Emancipation Day and Black Independence Day, Juneteenth celebrates the abolition of slavery and specifically the moment that Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce the freedom of the enslaved and the ending of the Civil War on June 19, 1865.

Juneteenth is not a national holiday, although it rightfully should be, as nearly every state recognizes it in some capacity. States like New York and Virginia have both recently announced their intentions of making Juneteenth a paid holiday for state employees. And so have brands. In fact, a variety of companies, from Buzzfeed to Adobe, have committed to observing Juneteenth this year.

With the work of the Black Lives Matter movement and the continuing protests around the country against police brutality and systemic racism, the people are putting the pressure on and demanding actively anti-racist policies from the brands they support. It’s simply not enough to be silently “not racist” anymore.

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In an informative post where Instagram user celisiastanton does much of the work for us, she writes: “With the 4th of July coming up in the US, this time of year is typically marked with celebrations of patriotism for white folx. Juneteenth reminds us of the more sinister history of this country and that not everyone has had the option to be truly free. Even today.”

She also reminds us that while non-Black folks might like to take this day to educate ourselves and reflect on recent U.S. history, “it’s just as important to support Black folx in life as you do in death or struggle.”

There are a number of ways to celebrate Black excellence on Juneteenth. For non-Black folks, the most appropriate ways are by amplifying Black voices and financially supporting Black-owned businesses. Whether it’s ordering takeout from Black-owned restaurants, buying debut books from rising Black authors, or commissioning Black artists, Juneteenth should be treated as a holiday of both reflection and celebration.

How are you planning on celebrating Juneteenth this year, and what can you do to continue to support and uplift the Black folks in your life?