By Kishara Joy Griffin, MSW, Sister Circle Therapist
Happy Juneteenth!! Juneteenth is the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people were freed (Nix, 2023). This happened a little over two years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Historically, Juneteenth is the longest running Black holiday and in 2021, it became a national holiday (Nix, 2023). A federally acknowledged holiday that has provided an official opportunity for Black folks to gain rest, acknowledgment of humanity, and additional pay (if an employer warrants it) — this sounds like a sweet deal to me!
What I find interesting about Juneteenth is that although it is a holiday for Black folks, in my experience, many haven’t been informed about it until the rise of conscious social media. From my experience, I find that some of the Black folks in my life are indifferent toward it becoming a federally recognized holiday. I hear some Black folks see it as yet another symbolic gesture that provides a placeholder for change instead of actual change occurring — big hints to “where our reparations” type energy!
The ways in which I viewed individuals in my world discussing Juneteenth and their feelings definitely piqued my interest and provoked me to figure out exactly how I feel about it. I landed on realizing the depth of opportunity found in that one day to take courage and do all the things while still doing nothing. In other words, the idea of celebrating a Black holiday that is fully recognized on the same level as a Fourth of July brings some cheer into my life. We have Kwanzaa, which I celebrate, but the most we receive for this is a mention on the calendar. It has not been recognized federally as a traditionally Black holiday to celebrate. This does not mean it's less valuable but that we have more work to do.
Furthermore, with Juneteenth becoming recognized, it allows me to put into perspective the many Black voices and power players involved to have our freedom acknowledged. For this I am grateful. In addition to my gratitude, I am wondering about living in a society where we all venerated Juneteenth as a positive in our nation. What would we all use it for? However … since that is magical thinking, what I can do is share this month's Sister Circle newsletter theme: Healing Through Ancestry in honor of Juneteenth!! So exciting!
As this theme may hold different meanings for everyone, I thought I may share what it means to me. Ancestral healing is an acknowledgment of family history — taking a deep inventory of the triumphs, challenges, and woundings to then begin a process to encourage, inspire, and aid in your personal healing journey. Your inventory can involve your family’s migration story. Other things that can be part of this healing are acknowledging family traditions and family relationships to food and land. If possible, visiting places that are significance to your ancestors, such as gardens, memorials, gravesites, and/or restaurants associated with your family's history can support this celebration. Paying homage to these sites can be powerful to understanding your family history to affirm the resilience and audacity of your existence. To assist in deep healing to nurture seeds of tradition for yourself and others.
I find the excitement in engaging Sister Circle’s theme for this month for the sheer fact that it's a reminder of the tenacity that lives within us all. It’s a reminder that WE MATTER and WE all HAVE a story! That family story is worth being acknowledged; it’s worth being celebrated .
Happy Juneteenth!!
References
History Channel (2023), What Is Juneteenth? https://www.history.com/news/what-is-juneteenth