Happy Juneteenth! Juneteenth is a federal holiday (2021) that is being celebrated by African Americans all over the United States. Juneteenth is celebrated on June 19th because of the significance the date has to African American history. June 19, 1865 was when General Gordon Granger came to Texas to announce the end of slavery-over two years after the emancipation proclamation was signed into effect. Juneteenth is now an important date in African American history because it represents the freedom that all slaves longed for. While we celebrate Juneteenth, we should reflect on what it means to be both jewish and black. We should reflect on what it means to have freedom, equality, justice, and the journey of black jews.
Being both Black and Jewish means living in two very diverse and rich cultures. It also means having to navigate between the greatness of the two histories and the judgment and struggle of these two misunderstood and marginalized communities. Both communities have faced multiple hardships, but through the fog, they have also been resistant. Often having to make the most out of nothing, doing whatever they could for survival of self, pride, and history.
For more information, consider visiting these websites:
If you’re interested in reading more about black and Jewish identity, these works tackle themes of race, religion, belonging, identity, and justice:
