Juneteenth, short for “June 19,” is a celebration of freedom for Black communities. The holiday, also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Liberation Day and Emancipation Day, commemorates the end of slavery in America. Even though the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing enslaved people, was issued in 1863, there was minimal enforcement, which meant enslaved African Americans in some parts of the United States weren’t informed they were free until June 19, 1865.
Each year, Juneteenth highlights and represents the solidarity and resilience of our Black communities throughout the Cascadia bioregion. The holiday, which has been historically overshadowed by the Fourth of July, recently received the recognition it deserves. To celebrate Juneteenth, Black communities and supporters across the country honor the day of freedom with gatherings, fellowship and cookouts. Although Juneteenth is the day when most people of color celebrate, any day of the year can be a celebration to honor equality and Black history.
Want to learn more or participate? Just do a quick google search for Juneteenth heritage or events happening near you. Find a local Black-owned business or restaurant to support. Try a new podcast or pick up some reading to learn more.
Want to support Cascadian BLM Solidarity? Grab one of our No Cascadia without Racial Justice shirts, with a list of local Black Cascadians killed by police on the back. Portion of proceeds go to support King County Equity Now - an amazing non-profit here in the Salish Sea area.
A few good podcasts might be:
“Code Switch“
“Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay“
“Black Wall Street 1921“
“A Very Black Podcast” (listen to their Juneteenth episode here)
“NATAL“
“The Read“
“Identity Politics“
“The Diversity Gap“
“Kinswomen“
“1619“
“Still Processing“
“The Stoop“
Find a Show:
More than ever, streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu are carving space for Black creators by highlighting their stories.
“Miss Juneteenth“
“A Different World“
“Lovecraft Country“
“Ray“
“When They See Us“
“The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson“
“Atlanta” (check out the Juneteenth episodes)
“Dear White People“
“Get Out“
“Juneteenth Jamboree“
“Chi-Raq“
“42“
“High on the Hog“
“I May Destroy You“
“Mudbound“
“Watchmen“
“Akeelah and the Bee“
“The Princess and the Frog”
“Queen & Slim“
“Loving”
“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”
“Selma“
“Moonlight“
“Drumline“
“Antwone Fisher“
“Dreamgirls”
“Marshall”
“Us“
“Black Panther“
“Insecure“
“Black-ish“
Reading List:
“Juneteenth” by Ralph Ellison
“The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls” by Anissa Gray
“Americanah” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
“Brown Girl Dreaming” by Jacqueline Woodson
“Children of Blood and Bone” by Tomi Adeyemi
“Overground Railroad: The Green Book and the Roots of Black Travel in America” by Candacy Taylor
“Homegoing” by Yaa Gyasi
“Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together In the Cafeteria?” by Beverly Daniel Tatum
“Beloved” by Toni Morrison
“Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You” by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds
“Hidden Figures” by Margot Lee Shetterly
“Between the World and Me” by Ta-Nehisi Coates
