Juneteenth

Overall Theme:
Recognizing and celebrating our Afrikan Freedom Days and continuing to educate and politicize ourselves and our people about Afrikan Freedom and our struggle for self-determination.

History and Background
The Civil War ended in April of 1865. The word of the ending of this war and subsequent ending of chattel slavery of Afrikans traveled slowly across the united states. Afrikans in Texas got the word various dates through out the state between June 12 and 20th. Because most heard the word during one of days between June 13th and 19th the term Juneteenth Freedom Days was coined. Oral reports from those of that indicated that once the word was heard spontaneous celebrations broke out. Afrikans in Missouri did not get the word until Augusti 1865.

Recommendations:
Due to this history we recommend celebrating Juneteenth as “Juneteenth Afrikan Freedom Days.” We recommend celebrating it throughout the month of June. All activities and decorations should be uplifting, festive and colorful.

Decorations:
The week before the event we should place a lantern in and/or outside our homes. Lanterns where used by members of the Underground Railroad. They would indicate our homes are a safe house for freedom. Images of quilts or quilts themselves can be placed outside indicating this is a safe house as well. The Red/Black and Green could also be placed out in the home and/or in the windows. Proverbs related to freedom my also be placed in the home. Streamers, balloons, festive cloth and other relevant festive items may also be placed in the home for this celebration. All these items are to pick up the theme of freedom and celebration.

Activities:
Home:
The families can gather and tell stories of freedom. Work on family trees and family histories. A party for Junteenth can be held in the home. At least one night in the month the family should have a Juneteenth Freedom Day dinner or lunch together. Each night the outside lantern can be lit.

Public:
Public events should capture the feeling of the spontaneous celebrations that broke out once the word of freedom was heard. There should be a full day or two of activities, including games for the watoto (the large bouncing houses), Afrikan drumming, Masks, Dinner, Music, Folktales, Presentations, Games, Ancestral Memorial, Safe House display and more. Re-enactments of historical events of that day can be held as well speeches about how we fought and brought about our own freedom.