At our team meeting this week, our boss asked us to take some time to consider how we might intentionally spend today (Juneteenth), rather than just thinking of it as “another day off.”  What is Juneteenth? What does it mean to me as a White woman, raising a White child in a predominantly White congregation and community? How do I honor this day in a respectful way?

Here’s what I’ve come up with so far. What would you add to this list? How do you plan to observe this day?

1. What is Juneteenth?

According to history.com, “Juneteenth (a blend of “June” and “nineteenth”) is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. Observed annually on June 19, it marks the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, finally received word of their freedom — more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. […] On June 17, 2021, Juneteenth was officially signed into law as a U.S. federal holiday. Today, it serves as both a joyful celebration of Black culture and liberation, and an annual time for education, reflection on American history, and a continued commitment to the pursuit of equality.” Learn more about the holiday’s timeline and cultural impact at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture or review official federal observances via the National Park Service. 

2. Local libraries and community centers

Our local library is having a program that is both offered in person and online. Feel free to check out The Taste of Freedom: A Juneteenth Foodways Journey from the Newton (Kansas) Public Library or see what your local library or community centers are offering.

3. Reading

As a part-time librarian, of course reading has to make my list. My daughter is currently into the American Girl historical books, and it will be a good time for us to share the Addy series together.

4. Educating myself on the bigger picture

It’s already almost a decade old, but I still have on my to-read list Raising White Kids: Bringing Up Children in a Racially Unjust America by Jennifer Harvey.

5. Short videos

Short videos more your style? Check out these great videos on YouTube:  What is Juneteenth, and why is it important? or History of Juneteenth. You can also look for longer videos on your favorite streaming service.