**Parts of this article was originally published in 2021. It was updated in 2025.**
“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” – Nelson Mandela
Today marks the 160th anniversary of the message of freedom being delivered to those enslaved in Texas, also known as Juneteenth (a portmanteau of “June” and “nineteenth”). A celebration of emancipation, liberation, and Black Joy!!
What is Juneteenth? Juneteenth refers to June 19th, 1865, the day when Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas to inform the 250,000 enslaved Black people that they were free. Keep in mind the Emancipation Proclamation (which ended slavery) had gone into effect January 1st, 1863 (also the start of watch night services), so Texas would not get this memo for almost two and a half years later. People wonder why Black people cannot wait for change…and, why we are persistent about consistent upward and forward movement! Why are Black people not quick to trust, because of past failures and screw ups like what happened in Galveston, TX. Nevertheless, the chains are breaking and the truth is being revealed.
Juneteenth is not only a day to celebrate, but also another day to inform the masses, continue speaking out on injustices, and always a day to remember! It’s also another excuse for me to celebrate my Blackness and create more ways to express #BlackJoy and agency. This holiday is also an opportunity to instill values of self-improvement, racial uplift, and reclamation of the family unit. These values were personified through religious sermons and the singing of negro spirituals, reading of the Emancipation Proclamation, rodeos, and the preservation of slave food traditions and delicacies (ex. BBQ and soul food). Juneteenth serves as another holiday that allows Black people to come together, fellowship, and simply be free!
Much like how the message of freedom was delayed in its delivery to those enslaved in Texas, one could say there is a delayed recognition (on a larger scale) of the Juneteenth holiday. With all of the the national protests, police violence, and continuous murder of Black and Brown bodies of last year the U.S. would be reminded of past moments of resistance and endurance. This acknowledgement rebirth is what I like to think of as a memory survival. As Isabel Wilkerson writes in her amazing book, The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration, “The people from Texas took Juneteenth Day to Los Angeles, Oakland, Seattle, and other places they went.” Thank goodness the memory of Juneteenth will always be present, because we cannot afford to have any more delays, these are moments that we need right now and always!
As another Juneteenth celebration takes place, I remain hopeful and vigilant, and I am definitely excited. Juneteenth is a holiday worthy of international recognition. Hopefully, the celebration of this holiday is not just for a moment or season, but for an infinity of lifetimes. With each year, more and more people are learning about the importance and significance of Juneteenth!!
Now, even though I may not be from Texas, I take Juneteenth as my Independence Day/Emancipation Day, because clearly July 4th is not!!
Now to get you in the spirit, check out some of these traditional food & drinks, and a few resources to expand your mind!
Traditional Food & Drink to Enjoy
- Red Foods & Drink [Red foods and drinks are the most prominent feature on a Juneteenth menu]: Red Punch, Red Velvet Cake, Hibiscus tea, Red beans & rice, Strawberries, and Watermelon
- BBQ Foods: Chicken, Pork, Ribs, Hot links, and Brisket
- Prosperity Meals/Sides: Collard greens and Cabbage, Black-eyed peas, Yams, Sweet Potatoes, Corn, and Cornbread
Juneteenth Resources:
Even if this is your first year, make sure it is not your last!!
Black Future Feminist 