5 Ways to Support the Black Community Beyond Juneteenth
Photo credit: canva.com. Graphic Artist: Sarai Pak
Tis’ the season for making performative gestures. I know I am not the only one who cringes during times of year that highlight African-American “culture”. The corporations and organizations who dress up their emails and social media postings for Kwanzaa, Black History Month, and, now, Juneteenth, may mean well but most come off as insincere. The civil unrest of 2020 following the killing of George Floyd brought out an overwhelming response of outrage, sadness, and empathy that echoed across social media. The tragedy birthed some well-intentioned yet overall useless efforts like the black square day on Instagram and using the #BLM hashtag at the end of social media posts. In the end, the Black community was left to clean up the broken pieces.
It is important to acknowledge history and understand its impact on today’s society. Therefore, what is Juneteenth and who celebrates it?
What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth, officially Juneteenth National Independence Day, is a federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. It is short for June Nineteenth and was first celebrated in 1865. Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation freeing slaves went into effect starting January 1, 1863. Yet, it would take several years and winning the Civil War before the new law would be enforced in slaveholding states. Confederate generals began surrendering in April 1865 with the final surrender coming on June 2, 1865. Union soldiers led by US Brigadier General Gordon Granger continued their march west and reached Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865, informing local enslaved African Americans of their freedom. It is not, however, the end of slavery in America which I will explain later.
Who celebrates Juneteenth?
There are parts of the Black community that celebrate Juneteenth. For those that trace their roots to enslaved Africans in the south, this is a moment that marks their rebirth. For some, Juneteenth is a time to gather with family and barbecue or enjoy a local event at a park or community center. For others, Juneteenth is a reminder of continued injustices perpetrated against the Black community; not a holiday. Also, there are some African Americans who admittedly had never heard of Juneteenth before 2020.
Slavery Still Exists In The Prison Industrial Complex
For many social justice advocates and Pan-Africanists, Juneteenth does not mark the end of slavery and should not be celebrated. This sentiment is backed by language in the Thirteenth Amendment that actually does not make slavery illegal in the United States but rather transfers the rights of slave labor to the government. The Thirteenth Amendment states, “[n]either slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.” The abolishment of slavery birthed the prison industrial complex by transferring the legal right to profit from slave labor from private citizens to state, federal, and private prisons.
Some of the earliest prisons during the reconstruction periods were repurposed plantations. In fact, in the year following the end of the Civil War, the Alabama prison population flipped from 99% white to 90% black according to the Alabama Department of Corrections. Contracts were made with companies to use prison labor, essentially black labor, and lives became commodities for state, federal, and private prisons. When factory work dried up, not all factories went overseas. Some took their jobs to the prison system where they would not have to pay a living wage, provide health insurance, or basic rights for their employees. Many advocacy groups are pushing for prison reform due to these practices, imprisonment of the falsely accused, and those currently imprisoned for non-violent marijuana offenses. Juneteenth does not feel like a celebration to those affected by mass incarceration or the advocates fighting for them.
How can I support the Black community beyond Juneteenth?
There are many ways to support the Black community beyond Juneteenth. Organizations and corporations should note that it is not okay to profit off of this holiday. Selling us products is not showing respect. Walmart tried it with Juneteenth™️ ice cream and ended up sending a public apology in response to the backlash. Do not be like Walmart. Instead, here are five better ways you can support the black community beyond Juneteenth:
Buy Products From Black-Owned Businesses
There are large networks of Black entrepreneurs selling products and services near you locally or online. Patronize these businesses. Also, be sure to pay these business owners their full asking price (no discounts) and, when possible, please tip. Financial freedom is a key way the Black community strengthens itself from within.
Follow Black Organizations’ Lead
Take time to reach out to organizations that commemorate Juneteenth to learn how they are marking the holiday. You can volunteer, participate in their events, or amplify their messages on social media. Once you have made that connection, treat it as a long-term commitment and continue your support beyond the Juneteenth holiday.
Donate To Black Organizations Doing The Work
There are scores of organizations doing social justice and diversity, equity, and inclusion work on the grassroots level. Donate to their causes. Many of these organizations live and die by gift donations and grants. Giving them the capital they need to service the community is an impactful and classy way to celebrate Juneteenth.
Pay Black Creators For Their Time
Predominately white organizations will create platforms around Black holidays or events (i.e. Black Birders Week) and reach out to have Black subject matter experts deliver keynote speeches without compensation. This is not ok. If you can recognize a Black person for their expertise, you can compensate them for their time. Create a budget that supports paying your invited Black speaker. Even if the event is free to the public, the Black creator deserves their pay.
Re-evaluate Your Culture of Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion (DEI)
Are you or your organization committed to positively impacting communities of color? Is celebrating Black holidays a way to check off a box for you? Unfortunately, many organizations are silent throughout the year seemingly waiting for these holidays to show the flag. Use Juneteenth to reevaluate how you approach issues that affect the Black community. From there, spend time monthly or quarterly to gauge your progress and quantify your contributions to the Black community. There are Black DEI consultants and organizations that you can reach out to for help if needed.
