A Day to Celebrate: Juneteenth

By Mariah Hughes, EEO Compliance Coordinator

HISTORY

Juneteenth, short for June Nineteenth, marks the day when military troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to officially free the last of the enslaved people. This event occurred roughly two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.

Few know that Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation solely as a political tactic during the Civil War. According to an editorial published in Daily National Intelligencer, his paramount objective was to save the Union, neither to save nor destroy slavery.

His signature on the formal document did not free the entirety of the four million men, women, and children. It only applied to those residing in areas of the Confederacy.

While Lincoln personally considered slavery to be immoral, he allowed it to remain in Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, and Missouri — states that supported his ultimate goal of saving the Union.

The Emancipation Proclamation did, however, pave the way for the permanent abolition of slavery. Congress passed the 13^th Amendment in January 1865, after Lincoln and his constituents decided they had Constitutional authority.

News reached the people of Galveston many months later, when U.S. Army troops arrived to announce and enforce emancipation.

Juneteenth is a celebratory day that commemorates Black resilience, freedom, history, and positive change ahead.

Texas first recognized Juneteenth as an official holiday in 1979, prompting several states to follow over the years. In June 2021, Congress established Juneteenth as a federal holiday, and President Biden signed it into law on June 17, 2021, two days before Juneteenth.

Click to read more about Juneteenth, the Juneteenth flag, the Emancipation Proclamation, Abraham Lincoln, and the 13^th Amendment.

PERSONAL STATEMENT

Juneteenth acknowledges the struggles and challenges that Black Americans faced in America. Many Americans, myself included, may just be learning about the significance of this holiday. Before doing research for this blog, the only information I knew about Juneteenth was that it was the end of slavery.

Many people probably learned some about Black history, as well as the 13th Amendment, in school. However, the history surrounding the abolition of slavery runs much deeper than what was/is traditionally taught. It’s important to educate youth on Black history and celebrate the historical event of Juneteenth. My goal is to continue to learn, as well as teach others, about Black history.

This Juneteenth, I will take time to reflect on the past and current challenges we face as Black Americans. I’ll attend the Juneteenth Block Party hosted in North Minneapolis (information listed below) and wear red to represent the struggles and freedom of Black Americans. I will continue to educate myself by watching documentaries and reading various books about Black history.

WAYS TO CELEBRATE

Learn the History

Educate yourself and others on the full history of Juneteenth. One way to do so is by watching film and reading literature. Below is a short list of suggested books:

• Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington
• Remembering Slavery: African Americans Talk about their Personal Experiences of Slavery and Freedom edited by Ira Berlin, Marc Favreu, and Steven F. Miller
• To Joy my Freedom: Southern Black Women’s Lives and Labors After the Civil War by Tera W. Hunter
• How the Word is Passed — A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America by Clint Smith
• On Juneteenth by Annette Gordon-Reed

Celebrate

Individuals celebrate in a variety of ways. The color red is associated with the holiday, as it symbolizes sacrifice and perseverance. People consume various red foods, including red velvet cake, watermelon, and barbecued meats, while celebrating.

Support Black-Owned Business

Minnesota Resources

• https://mnblackbusiness.com/
• https://mspmag.com/arts-and-culture/black-owned-businesses-in-the-twin-cities/

North Dakota Resources

• https://www.fargomonthly.com/fm-black-owned-businesses/

Wisconsin Resources

• https://www.travelwisconsin.com/article/photo-story/wisconsin-black-owned-businesses
• https://connectblack.madison365.com/
• https://mkeblack.org/

Spread the Word

More than 60 percent of Americans know “nothing at all” or “only a little bit” about Juneteenth. It is important to initiate or partake in conversations about Juneteenth, its significance, and Black history. The federal holiday deserves to be recognized and discussed in our communities, such as the workplace and schools.

Support the Community

Below is a list of some of the organizations, which serve members of the Black community, that KA currently supports:

• Metropolitan Economic Development Association (MEDA)
• Minnesota Minority Goods & Services Association (MMGSA)
• National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC)
• North Central Minority Supplier Development Council (NCMSDC)
• Summit Academy OIC
• The Man Up Club (Listen to KA’s most recent podcast highlighting the group HERE.)
• Twin Cities R!se
• Urban League Twin Cities

Attend Events in Your Community

There are hundreds of planned events happening all around the United States. Search for the celebrations happening in your community and GO! Below is the information for a few events (2022) in your area:

Minnesota

• Minneapolis – AFROPUNK Festival
• Minneapolis – Juneteenth Parade & Event
• Minneapolis – Juneteenth Minnesota – Block Party
• Duluth – Twin Ports Juneteenth (Multiple Events)
• Rochester – 17^th Annual Juneteenth Celebration (in conjunction with Rochesterfest)

North Dakota

• Bismarck – Juneteenth Open Mic: Music, Poetry and Vendors

Wisconsin

• Madison – Juneteenth in the Park
• Milwaukee – Juneteenth in Milwaukee