Here's how to make Juneteenth a celebration and a day of learning about our nation's true history.
Your Juneteenth celebration doesn’t have to be an all-day event, but try to carve out some time to reflect and celebrate the day: Maybe you’ll make a tradition of heading over to a Juneteenth concert happening in the town over.
When instances of police brutality happen in your town or the “critical race theory” conversation dominates your local school board, write op-eds about it. Share links. Take your discontent and concerns to city council meetings and town halls when a story isn’t in the headlines. “I really think both individuals and institutions should use the day to reflect on how they can make a commitment to elevating Black voices,” said Ronelle Tshiela, a racial justice organizer in Manchester, New Jersey. “Talk to the Black people in your community to see what needs need to be met right at home.”
Juneteenth is a celebration, but we owe it to the people who were forced to build this country to continue the fight for equality, said Mikhaella Norwood, an organizer of a Juneteenth festival in Detroit called“My group likes to use the quote, ‘None of us are free, till we are all free,’” she said. “This Juneteenth, think of someone who you could advocate for, because your own liberties are tied up with theirs. We are one.