Authors such as Annette Gordon-Reed and Ralph Ellison have written influential novels about Juneteenth. For most non-BIPOC Americans, July 4 is Independence Day—but it’s essential to understand that the Declaration of Independence didn’t actually grant freedom to everybody in America. Remember that American history as taught in schools tends to be highly whitewashed, ignoring crucial aspects of Black culture. Just because you’ve studied history doesn’t mean your knowledge is complete yet!
To check out a directory, visit https://www. blackpast. org/african-american-museums-united-states-and-canada.
To find Black-owned businesses, you can check out a directory like https://www. blackbusinessgreenbook. com or https://blackwomanowned. co/business-listings-2-0.
Many music and video streaming platforms will often compile playlists to celebrate Juneteenth and Black artists. A quick search can yield many different options for you to explore.
Be aware of the spaces you’re taking up. Juneteenth is a holiday made by and for Black Americans. All Americans need to recognize it, but that doesn’t mean you should start attaching new meanings or adding your own celebratory elements. For example, instead of making your own social media post about how important Juneteenth is, share a Black writer’s perspective on the holiday so that your friends or follower base can read about the holiday too.
Find Black Lives Matter at https://blacklivesmatter. com. Check out the Loveland Foundation at https://thelovelandfoundation. org. Donate to the ACLU at https://www. aclu. org. Donate to more targeted organizations that support the Black LGBTQ+ community, too, like The Okra Project (https://www. theokraproject. com) and the Marsha P. Johnson Institute (https://marshap. org). [6] X Research source
Some Juneteenth events are virtual. Do a little online research to find livestreams of speeches, performances, and other Juneteenth festivities.
It’s important to recognize that you were born into some biases about race as someone who isn’t Black. It can be tough to unlearn them, but it’s your job to keep trying as an ally, no matter how long it takes. For example, you may have ignored racist comments in the past or not cared about racism because it didn’t affect you. When you acknowledge these flaws, it helps you become a stronger ally in the future.
If you have relatives and friends who may be ignorant of Juneteenth and its importance, share your research materials with them and educate them in turn.
Companies can also take steps to make this holiday more meaningful than just a convenient day off. Sponsoring employee visits to museums or cultural sites, for example, could help educate the public about Juneteenth.
