Celebrating Juneteenth!!

Hey everyone!!

I'm finally back on track with a Friday Blog post, yay! I will do my absolute best to stay on track with these from here on out. I wanted to make sure that I got this one out on time because today is no ordinary Friday, it is a very special day. It is Juneteenth!! (June 19th!!) This is a very special occasion, so I would like to devote this week's Blog post to talking about this holiday.

So, let's start out with a brief overview of what the purpose of this holiday is and what we are celebrating here. June 19th, 1865, is the day that the last Black slaves in America finally learned that slavery had been abolished and that they were free. This group of slaves lived in Galveston, Texas, and unfortunately did not receive the news of the abolition of slavery until almost two and a half years after Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation went into effect on January 1st, 1863. Unfortunately, the inefficient ways of delivering news down to the deepest reaches of the Confederacy meant a sadly long gap between the Emancipation Proclamation going into effect and all slaves truly being freed. Despite this harsh truth, however, this day is still viewed as a celebration of Black liberation throughout America.

The newly freed Black people began celebrating Juneteenth as a holiday one year later, in 1866, to celebrate their freedom. Their customs on this day include sharing food, singing traditional songs, dancing, reading, spiritual practices, and more to celebrate their culture and their liberation. Today, almost every state in America recognizes Juneteenth as a holiday or observance, yet it is still not recognized as a federal holiday despite activists trying for decades to make that happen.

Today in 2020, it is clear why this holiday is receiving more attention than it has in many years. With America in a state of uprising over the recent police brutality murders of many innocent Black people, and demonstrations across the country aimed at ending systemic racism and bringing justice and equality to all, this is the year we must the public awareness of this holiday more than ever before. And of course, while we are currently fighting an incredibly difficult fight that unfortunately has no end in sight, now is also the time when we must celebrate the victories that we have experienced as a nation, and the liberation of the Black people from the inhumanity of slavery!

So, how do we celebrate Juneteenth? Obviously, for all of my Black friends out there, you don't need me to advise you on what to do... this is YOUR day!!!! Do whatever it is that makes you the happiest, and celebrates your unique culture and history! I hope you get to spend time with friends and family, sing, dance, play, eat, read, watch, and immerse yourself in all that you are and all that you love. Most of all, while I realize that today is also a day that can bring up some deep pain and anger, I hope that you celebrate and feel joy today. Again, it is YOUR day!!!! :)

To my fellow non-Black folx... we must also use this day in the right way, and it is the perfect day to educate ourselves on the experiences of Black people and to read books and watch movies that depict Black joy and happiness. So today is the day to explore what is out there! Here are a few suggestions that you might want to look into, for books to read and movies to watch today and every day:

Books:

• Stamped From The Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi

• Sweet Taste Of Liberty: A True Story Of Slavery And Restitution In America by W. Caleb McDaniel

• Stony The Road by Henry Louis Gates Jr.

• The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates

• More: https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/books/2020/06/18/juneteenth-25-books-experts-recommend-learn-slavery/3199798001/

Movies:

• Miss Juneteenth (2020)

• The Hate U Give (2018)

• The Great Debaters (2007)

• Straight Outta Compton (2015)

• More: https://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/entertainment/2020/06/19/celebrate-juneteenth-great-movies-by-black-filmmakers/111979380/

Of course, these are only a few suggestions for places to get started, they are each extremely important in their own right but they hardly scratch the surface of all that is out there! We must keep actively searching for more creative works by Black creators of all kinds so that we can continuously educate ourselves and raise both our own awareness and that of those around us. Of course, if you have any suggestions for works by Black creators that you would like to highlight, please send them my way and I will share them!! Thanks!!

Remember, on this day and every day, we must keep fighting for those who are not seen as equal in our society. We must both celebrate our victories and look to the future, as the fight is not over until all have justice. Please take some time this Juneteenth to both reflect on how we can do better, both individually and as a society, and to celebrate how far we have come. How are you celebrating Juneteenth? Please let me know!!

Thank you all so much, keep being amazing!! I know that together we will keep changing the world for the better!! Sending lots of love and hugs to each and every single one of you, stay strong and keep being your incredible selves!! I'm always here if you need anything!! Always keep being kind and compassionate to yourselves and to others!! Happy Juneteenth, sending lots of love!!!! :) <3

Your friend forever,

Adam Silverstein :) <3