Celebrating Juneteenth

Today is June 19^th which means…Happy Juneteenth!

What is Juneteenth?

The sad reality is that the history of Juneteenth has not been taught in schools. Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, two years after Abraham Lincoln ended slavery, enslaved people found out that they were free. Today Juneteenth is a celebration!!! It is also known as Jubilee Day, Liberation Day or Freedom Day.

I’ve gathered a few resources and activities to celebrate Juneteenth. Some are directly related to the holiday while others celebrate the black culture and all that it entails.

What to Watch

• When They See Us- Netflix ( Ava DuVernay)
• 13th- Netflix ( Directed by Ava DuVernay)
• Watchmen (HBO- currently free to stream this weekend)
• The Hate You Give ( based on the book by Angie Thomas. Currently streaming for free on all digital platforms )
• Just Mercy ( Based on the book by Bryan Stevenson. Currently streaming for free.)
• Homecoming:A Film by Beyoncé -Netflix ( Sheds light on the importance of HBCUs)
• Black-Ish
• Selma
• Sherman’s Showcase- Hulu

Books to Read

There are so many books out there, so I am sharing a list that I came across.

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/the-read-down/juneteenth

 

 

My Juneteenth Playlist

Anything by Nina Simone

Freedom- Beyonce/ Kendrick Lamar

Formation- Beyonce

Already- Beyonce

Lift Every Voice and Sing

Alright- Kendrick Lamar

DNA- Kendrick Lamar

This is America- Childish Gambino

Lovely Day- Bill Withers

A Change is Gonna Come- Sam Cooke

Black & Proud- James Brown

Wake Up Everybody- Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes

Brown Skin -India Arie

Golden- Jill Scott

Brotha- Angie Stone

What’s Going on- Marvin Gaye

Precious Lord-Mahalia Jackson

Celebrate- Earth, Wind, & Fire

Family Affair- Sly & the Family Stone

Rise Up- Andra Day

Virtual Events to Attend:

Juneteenth Book Fest. : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu–Ur5D1oWHD3JOM9rODxw

Official Website

https://www.juneteenth.com/history.htm