Celebrating Juneteenth

Celebrating Juneteenth…

Despite MAGA “Culture”…

Celebrating Juneteenth…

Despite MAGA “Culture”

 

By Cate Rees-Hessel

 

Continue to Proclaim Freedom…

As we celebrate Juneteenth, now a legal holiday thanks to years of activists’ campaigning and then our former President Biden in 2021 for making the day a federal holiday. It troubles me that we live in a racist ICE-filled nation because of our current administration, but that won’t stop us from celebrating. The holiday fell on a Friday this year, giving us a whole weekend to celebrate. Here are are 19 ideas to honor June 19th:

  1. Many towns are having public celebrations – I have my pink Juneteenth T-shirt all ready; I will proudly celebrate the North African portion of my heritage.
  2. Check your local library for books and films honoring Juneteenth.
  3. Make it a weekend event with barbecues, water parks, movies, or concerts.
  4. Visit an African museum to view exhibits and artifacts.
  5. Enjoy a marathon of African American TV episodes on your favorite streaming service.
  6. Read the Emancipation Proclamation out loud.
  7. Volunteer for a liberal Democratic organization.
  8. Buy a beautiful piece of African art to display.
  9. Teach children about African culture.
  10. Share stories and ideas around a campfire or picnic.
  11. Learn African dances and dance like everyone is watching.
  12. Learn the significance of quilts and how they assisted with the Underground Railroad.
  13. See the new recently released Michael Jackson film.
  14. Craft an African decoration to display.
  15. Read about Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Shirley Chisolm, Rosa Parks, and Kamala Harris.
  16. Read about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Barack Obama, John Lewis, Jesse Jackson, Hakeem Jeffries, and Cory Booker.
  17. Read about Big John and Mother Amy, slaves that positively influenced Dolley Madison.
  18. Enjoy some delicious soul food while listening to the premier children’s choir, the Soul Children of Chicago – see soulchildrenchicago.org for their music.
  19. Visit the brand new Obama Presidential Center in person or online, which is open starting today – go to obama.org.

 

Whatever you decide to do to celebrate, enjoy, engage, and be safe – God bless our nation. We celebrate freedom despite our current administration – vote blue and continue to fight for freedom as we celebrate Juneteenth…

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