Juneteenth
On June 19, 1865, the Emancipation Proclamation was put into effect when enslaved African-Americans in Galveston, Texas, were told that the Civil War had ended, and that they were free.
More than one hundred and fifty years later, June 19 – "Juneteenth" – is observed across the country as a joyful holiday that celebrates freedom.
message from the president resources
a message from the president
On June 19, 1865, the Emancipation Proclamation was put into effect when enslaved African-Americans in Galveston, Texas, were told that the Civil War had ended, and that they were free.
More than one hundred and fifty years later, June 19 – "Juneteenth" – is observed across the country as a joyful holiday that celebrates freedom.
The Emancipation Proclamation did not erase the centuries of violence and subjugation upon which our country was built. Nor did it bridle the cultivation and insidious growth of systemic racism at every level of our nation's policies, which to this day prevent the United States from being a place of true freedom for all. There is, doubtless, work still to be done.
Today, Juneteenth is reserved as a day to celebrate and honor Black freedom, Black excellence, and Black joy. Across the country, parades will be held on city streets, picnics will take place in family backyards, and descendants of those who were told they were free on June 19, 1865 will make the pilgrimage to Galveston to honor their ancestors.
If you're looking for a way to celebrate Juneteenth this weekend, please explore joining us in the following:
- Join a parade or local community celebration
- Support Black-owned businesses and restaurants (Explore Massachusetts listings here, or shop nationally)
- Purchase or borrow a book named in the HCC Library's list of recommended books about the Juneteenth holiday (Do you belong to a book group? Encourage members to choose one of these titles for your next read!)
- Display a Juneteenth yard sign at your home
- Learn how to research your family history before 1870
- Join HCC's Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee, and take part in our work to create a more equitable and inclusive culture. (Email edicommittee@hcc.edu)
- Check out a list of local Juneteenth events
- Spend time with family and friends. Rest. Celebrate freedom, creativity, and love.
It is crucial that while doing the ongoing work of naming and dismantling systemic racism, we allow ourselves pauses to rest, to practice self care, and to celebrate. For those who may want to learn more about Juneteenth, find resources below.
Christina Royal
President, Holyoke Community College
resources
- HCC Library Reading List
- Juneteenth information from the National Museum of African-American History & Culture
- The "Juneteenth" episode of black-ish
- Juneteenth Day Celebration
- What is Juneteenth?
- This is Why Juneteenth is Important for America
- The New York Times Magazine's 1619 Project
- Professional Development Initiative: Academics for Black Survival & Wellness
