[Image via Monica.]
Today is Juneteenth, a holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the US. If you aren't familiar with the history of Juneteeth, this is an excellent primer.
Currently, 42 states recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday or state holiday observance. There are celebrations is many parts of the country, often parades or cookouts or community parties or fairs, at which attendees, depending on what's been organized for the local observance, can dance, sing, have poetry slams, play games, participate in Miss Juneteenth pageants, all kinds of fun stuff! Often following a public reading of the Emancipation Proclamation.
Local to me, in past years, there have been outdoor concerts and picnics, public readings, and free community financial seminars. Which might not seem so celebratory, but read this report today care of Algernon Austin at the Economic Policy Institute about "50 years of recessionary-level unemployment in black America," and the relevance of financial empowerment as part of a celebration of black freedom quickly becomes evident.
This is a good resource for finding Juneteenth celebrations near you, but not everything is listed, so check Google if you don't find what you need. And if there's nothing near you, you can always put up a yard sign to help celebrate, and do some awareness-raising in communities where Juneteenth isn't being marked with a public event.
Happy Juneteenth!
[Please feel welcome and encouraged to leave information about Juneteeth events in comments.]
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