In recognition of Juneteenth becoming an official state holiday in Massachusetts, TSNE is observing Juneteenth as a day off this Friday, June 18, 2021.
What is Juneteenth and why is it celebrated?
Juneteenth (a portmanteau of “June Nineteenth”) and is also known as Freedom Day, Emancipation Day, or Juneteenth Independence Day. It honors the end to slavery in the United States, African-American heritage, and the many contributions Black people have made to the United States. Though the Emancipation Proclamation abolished slavery on January 1, 1863, it wasn’t until June 19, 1865 that Texas finally emancipated slaves — the last of the Southern states to do so.
Though observed or recognized as a holiday by most states and the majority of U.S. citizens, Juneteenth is not yet a federal holiday. This is the first year the holiday has been officially recognized in Massachusetts, and celebrations are taking place throughout the state.
At TSNE we want everyone to reflect on history, connect it to our present condition, continue contributing to our collective work of dismantling racist systems and structures, and continue our own personal journeys of reflection and change. We invite you to learn more about the continuing significance of Juneteenth and the legacies of slavery in contemporary society with the following resources:
- “Celebrating Juneteenth” (essay/video) from the National Museum of African American History & Culture, discusses celebrating Juneteenth
- Teaching Tolerance: A Guide to Teaching Juneteenth – The history of Juneteenth acknowledges hard history while also empowering students to be advocates for change. This teaching guide is a project of the Southern Law Poverty Center
- Celebrating Juneteenth: The History Behind The Holiday – A radio special produced by On Point from WBUR in Boston featuring Daina Ramey Berry, professor of History and African and African Diaspora Studies at the University of Texas at Austin, journalist Van R. Newkirk II, from The Atlantic and others.
- For more information on the history of Juneteenth, view the History of Juneteenth Celebrations.
How are TSNE’s Fiscally sponsored organizations Celebrating Juneteenth?
Design Studio for Social Intervention is supporting a live performance in downtown Boston this Friday, 5:30 – 7:00 pm.
FREEDOM: Standing on Legacy is part of celebrations throughout the city of Boston. Live music by Miranda Rae, poetry, sounds and dance curated by DJ Slick Vick and a Fashion Installation by Kreyol.
FRESH New London is holding its inaugural Dream Market as a Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 19, from 4 – 7pm!
NLC (New London Community) Dream Market is a culturally vibrant market that serves as a community gathering place and provides relief to food insecurity families. This block-party style farmers market includes live performances, local artist vendors, a donation-based vegetable stand and food vouchers, food trucks/vendors, collective art projects, information about community resources, other locally grown foods and more.
Visit https://www.nlcdream.market/ for all the market details and to sign up as a vendor or volunteer! The market will continue every Saturday through September and will feature different themes.