Juneteenth: What is it, and why does it matter?
Juneteenth, observed on the nineteenth of June, is more than just a DEI initiative. It’s an important day of commemoration and respect to be honored by not just African Americans, but by the entire world. To understand why Juneteenth is such a momentous holiday, we need to first take a deep dive into the history behind Juneteenth. While Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation (a decree that stated that all enslaved Africans in America would now be free) in 1863, it would be years before this information traveled to Texas, where African Americans were still enslaved. It was only on the nineteenth of June in 1865 that the news reached the enslaved African Americans of Texas. When it did, celebrations ensued. Feasts were laid out, bottles were uncorked, feet grew tired from dancing, and prayers were recited.
When we celebrate Juneteenth, it is this moment of freedom and relief that we draw upon, but it is also the many years of enslavement that we respect, remember, and mourn. This week, we’ll explore why this holiday has continued relevance and what the celebration of Juneteenth means for contemporary society. We’ll discuss the importance of Juneteenth, the opportunities it gives us, and what we can do in our personal and professional lives to commemorate this historical day. Let’s dive in.
1. It’s A Moment of Reflection
Juneteenth is primarily a moment to reflect upon our history. It serves as a nationwide, if not global, reminder of the horrors of the slave trade, what African Americans endured, and how this history of brutality lingers still today. By reflecting on the past—moments of both triumph and loss—we can trace how history has shaped today’s society and the complex issues of race and equity that are becoming more center stage for many organizations. This is a time to honour the struggles of African Americans and a good opportunity to open the floor for discussions on what needs to be done next.
If you’re a business looking to celebrate Juneteenth, there are many ways to go about it. You can start by brushing up on your American history facts and circulating a poster, brochure, or booklet so that all employees understand the brevity of Juneteenth. Another thoughtful thing to do is ask African Americans working in your organization how they would like to see this holiday celebrated and take note of how you want your institution to remember Juneteenth.
2. Juneteenth Is An Opportunity for Discussion
Juneteenth is not just another commemorative holiday — it’s an opportunity for discussion. African Americans continue to be marginalized and brutalized by citizens, by the state, and through the continuation of a system built to take as much from the community as possible. Juneteenth offers an opportunity for African Americans to take center stage in policy construction so that a clear set of demands can be laid out and a path for the current struggle can be vocalized, whether in the form of concessions in healthcare, childcare, housing, or active efforts to combat police profiling.
What can you do as a business owner? Your business can hold conferences that give these conversations the platform that they need and deserve. This can be through holding miniature town halls within your organization or by collaborating with other companies in your field for an event in which African Americans in your industry can vocalize their struggles. However, remember that it is not enough to provide a platform and to just listen. At the end of these conferences, a plan of action can be created to make your company a kinder, safer, and more respectful place for African Americans and other minority communities. If you’re a thought leader in the space, you can also use your platform to speak about the significance of Juneteenth and what we can do as a society moving forward.
3. It’s A Time To Give Back
Juneteenth is also a time to give back, especially when we consider the history behind it. The logic of the slave trade was simple. It was a monetary gain for a few powerful people at the expense of the lives of hundreds of thousands. Sickening as this might be, the fact is that almost all of history’s most horrific events—including the enslavement of African Americans—have been for money. As such, it is virtually impossible to separate materiality from Juneteenth, especially when African Americans, to date, suffer monetarily as compared to White counterparts for the same position.
As a company, you need to know and respect this. There are many ways you can show support and give back. Consider finding some local NGOs or charities doing incredible work to improve the lives of African Americans and donate a significant amount. If you’re a tiny start-up, this can come from company employees pooling in whatever they can, but if you’re a big corporation, this should come from the board of directors and senior management. If you need ideas, some of the charities and NGOs to contribute to include the NAACP, Color of Change, Centre for Black Equity, Black Lives Matter, and Black Girls Code.
There is no shortage of impactful organizations to donate to. Try and find one that is meaningful to your area of work or one that is local and can help lift your community. This allows you and your colleagues to spend Juneteenth actively involved in their work by helping out however you can. If you can’t afford to donate money, consider offering your company’s skills instead. For example, if you’re a digital marketing agency, you can offer to help with their social media campaigns or ads free of charge!
Juneteenth is a day of celebration, triumph, and a way to respect the lives and history of African Americans. It offers an opportunity for individuals, corporations, and small businesses to really look at what freedom means today and analyze the areas in which African Americans continue to be discriminated against in society. It’s important to celebrate Juneteenth because it is essential that this holiday survives. Rather than just being a trend for a few years, Juneteenth should be a day that is as important and relevant as the Fourth of July. As a business it’s important to understand how Juneteenth fits into the conversation of your industry and what you can do to help make a difference.
Always in your corner,
Content Queens
