The American Civil War is seen as the conflict that finally ended the American Slave Trade. And while the war itself ended (on paper) on May 26, 1865, it wasn’t until June 19th of the same year that all slaves were ultimately emancipated, when the Emancipation Proclamation was fully enforced. So, to honor such a revolutionary day, here are four ways to spend your time this Juneteenth.
Attend a Juneteenth Event
One of the most common ways to commemorate Juneteenth is to attend an event. There are plenty in the New York tri-state area, including one in Union, NJ, Brooklyn, NY, West Haven, CT, and so many more. But if you’re not in that area, a quick Google search should fill you in on some possible locations. There are concerts, festivals, and even parades, all thrown in reverence to such an important part of the nation’s history.
Support Black-Owned Businesses
There is, and has always been, a plethora of talent within the black community, and every year more and more of these pearls come out of their oysters and aim to make said talents lucrative. Supporting black entrepreneurs helps the economy and is one of the best ways to show solidarity with the black community. Your patronage will make all the difference for the many hopefuls who are held back, sabotaged, and ultimately overlooked in their business dealings. First, it lifts the spirit of the individual and then, by extension, the standing of the black community overall. Helping a black person elevate their business, you also aid them in creating jobs and opportunities for other members of the black community. Not sure where to start? Check out our article on black-owned brands to support here.
Travel
Where there’s history, there’s almost always travel. And for Juneteenth, there’s a range of places to go. You can visit a Civil War museum or Civil War aspects of any American museum. You can visit any African American museum, especially ones specializing in civil rights, as the fight for equality was far from over. You can also visit different heritage sites for a deeper experience, like the Fort Pillow State Historic Park in Tennessee, The Stono River Slave Rebellion Site in South Carolina, or the many former plantations still hanging around. If you have the stomach for it.
Dive Into History
Lastly, the most inexpensive and possibly enlightening way to celebrate Juneteenth is to dive into its history- the history of the holiday and everything surrounding it. From Juneteenth, you can go on to learn about the Civil War, abolition, and various slave rebellions, and you can even go all the way back to the Door of No Return. History is a rabbit hole all on its own, and there’s so much to discover. African American history is American history, and learning all the branches that make up the American tree will give us a deeper knowing and possibly appreciation of and for the America we live in today.
How will you be celebrating Juneteenth? Is there anything we missed? Let us know!
XOXO,
Your Fashion Bestie
