Juneteenth Must Haves: Celebrating in this Social Climate

What’s up, babes, we’re back with more Boujee Boss hacks! Today might be one of my favorite #BBMH posts because we’re talking about one of the dopest days of the year: Juneteenth! For those that may not know the meaning behind this special day, Juneteenth is a national holiday celebrated on June 19^th that commemorates the historic end of slavery. On June 19^th 1865, Major General Gordon Granger led the Union soldiers to Galveston, Texas to share their news of victory over the Confederates, officially setting our enslaved ancestors free.

So, now that we’ve established the why we celebrate Juneteenth, I feel it’s important to share different ways for us to memorialize this sacred day, especially with the current social climate in the United States. We need to embrace our Blackness now more than ever, so let’s jump into some ideas of what you can do – quarantine style!

Cook Traditional Meals

Now, y’all know we love us a good excuse to grill out! Red foods are a staple for Juneteenth as they represent ingenuity and resilience in bondage, so make sure to bring out those watermelons and red velvet cake (even though it’s technically chocolate – works either way) along with them ribs, macaroni, and other favorites. Food is a great way to bring everyone together and spread awareness – just make sure to stay 6 feet apart though! 😉

Arrange Work Celebrations

For our essential workers, this is a great way to bring awareness and educate your employees on our culture. Just as you would have a Christmas and July 4^th celebration, go to your boss about decorating the conference room and having an informative session or open discussion while enjoying refreshments. And if you are the boss, then you hold the power to ensure this happens – make it happen!

Social Media Live Parties

Lives have become a great way to not only keep us sane, but also to keep us informed and form communities, especially since the quarantine has been in effect. Hosting an event on live is great for people with platforms such as myself to commune together and have live discussions about our history and what we can do now to ensure its longevity. Play some music, share virtual meals, and enjoy some great conversations!

Local Rallies

If you one of the real bold ones, a rally is always an amazing idea; our community needs to start having a lot of more open dialogues, especially when there are still so many who are misinformed. Come dressed in your Black gear and let your voice be heard.

Deck Out Your Home with Juneteenth Decorations

I don’t see why we can’t garnish our homes for Juneteenth like we do for all the other holidays, so make it big! Get signs to put up on your lawn, dope reefs to hang on your door, maybe even adorn quotes, pictures, and other items repping your favorite Black figures throughout your residence. Your neighbors already know you’re Black, might as well make their view one worth seeing, go all out! There’s just something about decorating your place that makes you feel more festive, so this is a great way to induce excitement.

I hope these tips were helpful, let me know how you plan to celebrate Juneteenth this year in the comments below and on our social media pages! Also make sure to check out Juneteenth’s official website for more info!

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