For more than a century and a half, the holiday of Juneteenth has been sacred to many black communities in the United States.
It marks the day in 1865 that enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned they had been freed, following the end of the Civil War and two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.
Since it was designated a federal holiday in 2021, Juneteenth — or Emancipation Day for slaves in the United States — has become universally recognized, beyond the nation’s black communities. Many people have the day off from work or school, and there are plenty of street festivals, fairs, concerts, and other events.
Those Americans who have never given the June 19 holiday more than a passing thought may wonder: Is there a “right” way to celebrate Juneteenth?
For beginners and those brushing up on history, here are some answers:
Is Juneteenth a solemn day of remembrance or rather a party?
That just depends on what you want. Juneteenth festivities have their roots in cookouts and barbecues. When it began to be celebrated—like the true Independence Day for African Americans—there were large, raucous gatherings between formerly enslaved families, many of whom had been separated.
Those gatherings were especially revolutionary because they were free from restrictive measures known as the “Black Codes,” enforced in the Confederate states, that controlled whether freed slaves could vote, buy property, gather for worship, and other aspects of life. daily.
Alan Freeman, 60, grew up celebrating Juneteenth every year in Houston, 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of Galveston. The comedian, who produces Galveston’s first Juneteenth Comedy Festival, has vivid memories of the smoke that permeated the entire neighborhood from him because so many people used their grills for celebratory cookouts. You could go to anyone’s house and be welcome to join the party, which could include grilled chicken and beef and other regional dishes: dried meats, fried fish and Jamaican plantains.
“It’s where I started to really see black unity, because I realized that this was the only day that African-Americans considered ours,” Freeman explains. “The only holiday that was ours. We didn’t have to share it with anyone. And it was about freedom because what we understood was that we were emancipated from slavery. But there were many beautiful activities.”
Others may choose to treat Juneteenth as a day of rest and remembrance. That may mean doing community service, attending an educational panel, or taking time off.
The important thing is to make people feel they have choices about how they view the occasion, says Dr. David Anderson, a black pastor and CEO of Gracism Global, a consulting firm that helps leaders navigate conversations to bridge differences of race and culture.
“Like the Martin Luther King holiday, we say it is a day of service and many people will do things. There are a lot of other people who just say, ‘I appreciate Dr. King, I’ll see what’s on TV and rest,’” Anderson says. “I don’t want people to feel guilty about it. What I want to do is always give ordinary people a choice.”
What if you’ve never celebrated Juneteenth?
Anderson, 57, of Columbia, Maryland, never did anything at Juneteenth in her youth. He didn’t find out about that date until he was in his late thirties.
“I think a lot of people don’t know about this, that they are even my color, as an African-American man. Even if you heard about it and knew about it, you didn’t celebrate it,” Anderson recounts. “It was just like a part of the story. It was not a celebration of history.”
For many African-Americans, the further away from Texas they grew up, the more likely it was that they didn’t have regular large Juneteenth celebrations. In the south of the country, the day can vary based on when the news of emancipation reached each state.
Anderson doesn’t plan to hold any special events, other than giving his employees Friday and Monday off. Actually, Anderson thinks about it being this weekend that Father’s Day is celebrated.
“If I can get Father’s Day and Juneteenth together to be with my family and honor them, that would be wonderful,” he says.
What kind of public Juneteenth events happen across the US?
Search online and you’ll find a diverse mix of meetings in major cities and suburbs that differ in scope and tone. Some are more carnival-like festivals with food trucks, crafts, and parades. At those festivals, you’ll likely find access to healthcare professionals, finances, and community resources. There are also concerts and fashion shows to highlight black excellence and creativity. For those who want to look back, many organizations and universities host panels to remind people of the Juneteenth story.
Are there special dishes for Juneteenth?
Barbecue aside, the color red has been a common thread for Juneteenth food for generations. Red symbolizes the bloodshed and sacrifice of enslaved ancestors. A Juneteenth menu might incorporate items like roast ribs or other red meats, watermelon, and red velvet cake. Beverages such as fruit punch and red Kool-Aid may be present at the table.
Does it matter how you celebrate Juneteenth if you’re not black?
Dr. Karida Brown, a professor of sociology at Emory University whose research focuses on race, said there’s no reason to feel uncomfortable about wanting to recognize Juneteenth if you’re not personally connected or not black. In fact, he recommends adopting it.
“I would rethink that and challenge my non-black friends who want to lean on Juneteenth and celebrate,” Brown says. “It is absolutely your story. It is absolutely a part of your experience… Isn’t this our whole story? The good, the bad, the ugly, the story of the emancipation and freedom of your black brothers and sisters under the Constitution of the law.
If you want to bring some authenticity to your Juneteenth acknowledgment, do your research. Going to a street festival or frequenting a black-owned business is a good start, but it would also be good to “improve your mind,” Anderson says.
“That lasts longer than a celebration,” Anderson adds. “I think black citizens should do it too because it’s new to us in America as well. But for non-black people, if you could read about this topic and read about black history beyond Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks, that would show me that you are really serious about growing up in this area.”
If you’re having a hard time celebrating the day “ethically,” Brown also suggested expanding your understanding of why the holiday is so important. This can be through reading or by attending an event or a museum of African American history if you have one nearby.
“Have that full human experience of seeing yourself in and through the eyes of others, even if that’s not your own life experience,” he notes. “That is a radical human act that is amazing and should be encouraged and celebrated.”
Are there other names used to refer to Juneteenth?
Over the decades, Juneteenth has also been called Freedom Day, Emancipation Day, the Black 4th of July, and the second Independence Day, among others.
“Because in 1776, on the Fourth of July, when we celebrated freedom and all that, that didn’t include my descendants,” Brown explains. “Blacks in America were still enslaved. So that holiday always came with a bittersweet tinge.”
Is there a proper greeting for Juneteenth?
It’s typical to wish people a “Happy Juneteenth” or a “Happy Teenth,” says Freeman, the comedian.
“Do you see how at Christmas people wish each other ‘Merry Christmas’ and they don’t even know each other? You can receive a ‘Merry Christmas’ from everyone. This is the same thing,” adds Freeman.
No matter what race you are, uttering either congratulation will “certainly” bring a smile, he adds.
“I think when a non-black person celebrates Juneteenth…it’s their only opportunity to have a voice, to participate.”
Terry Tang, reporting from Phoenix, is a member of The Associated Press’s Race and Ethnicity team.
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