Today is Juneteenth.
The holiday is nationally recognized thanks in large part to the tireless work of Opal Lee, often referred to as the Grandmother of Juneteenth. This year, she was gifted the land on which her family’s house was burned down by an angry white mob in 1939.
This holiday is a celebration in the African American community. It marks the day in 1865 when union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas and announced that the more than 250,000 people who were enslaved in Texas were freed by executive decree. This was two-and-a-half years (!!!!) after the Emancipation Proclamation had taken effect.
In today’s email, we’ll be sharing some resources to talk with your kids about Juneteenth. We’ll also be offering some reflection questions for you to ponder on not just today, but moving forward.
RESOURCES
If your kids are 5 & under, they can certainly understand the spirit of Juneteenth even if they can’t grasp all the historical nuances. They can understand why African Americans celebrate it with joy, ease and relaxation. This video shares our favorite book to teach kids 5 & under about Juneteenth. It’s called Let’s Celebrate Juneteenth by Tonya Abari. We love it because:
It’s a board book which is great for little fingers
The colors are bold, bright and engaging for little kids
The imagery really draws our 4-year-old in
The lessons are applicable, powerful and age-appropriate
If your kid is 6+, we have something for them, as well. A Flag for Juneteenth by Kim Taylor delves into the reality of the actual moment that people who were enslaved were freed. The author does this through the lens of a little girl. This book touches on the history and we love it for our 9-year-old because:
It teaches the history of Juneteenth
It’s a story from one kid to another
The beautiful imagery is based on quilts, which have a rich tradition in African American communities
It sparks conversations with our 9-year-old
Additional Resources for Kids:
14 Books for Celebrating Juneteenth
Let’s Celebrate Juneteenth Song for kids 5 & under
REFLECTION QUESTIONS FOR PARENTS:
The history and the meaning behind Juneteenth is both an invitation to celebrate for some and to introspect for others. As we suggest these questions to reflect on, the goal isn’t for you to get the “right” answer. Rather, take time to ponder each question as it relates to your identity.
What lessons are most important to teach kids about Juneteenth?
While we honor Opal Lee’s work and persistence, is it appropriate for white people to get a day off on Juneteenth?
Okay, so Juneteenth is a federal holiday! African Americans can take this time to do with it what we please. For white people, who still benefit from systems of white dominance, racism and white supremacy, what is your responsibility on Juneteenth?
As attacks on DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) in schools and institutions increase, many children have the day off for Juneteenth but don’t actually know the history because their teachers are not permitted to educate them on this. What is the role of parents to both educate them on accurate history at home AND advocate for the type of education our children deserve in schools?
When Juneteenth is over, what is the responsibility of white parents to ensure that values of justice and equity are infused in the home on a continuous basis?
If you’re African American, how are we balancing celebration with honoring our ancestors and their liberation on this day?
Whatever you’re doing today, we hope you consider your positionality as it relates to your race, your privilege and your labor. And to all Black people, we hope for joy, rest and ease today and always.
That’s it from us today. Stay safe and love up on your kids, okay?
Tabitha & Adam