Juneteenth: A Day of Recognition, Reflection, and Red Velvet Cake

June 19th holds a special place in the hearts of African Americans. It’s not just a date on the calendar; it’s Juneteenth, a day synonymous with freedom and the solidity of a people. While the Emancipation Proclamation declared enslaved people free as early as 1863, word traveled slowly, especially in the farthest reaches of the Confederacy. It wasn’t until June 19th, 1865, over two years later, that Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, to inform enslaved people of their liberation.

Juneteenth became a day of well-deserved jubilation, a celebration of a long-awaited freedom. As historian Annette Gordon-Reed states, “[Juneteenth] is a reminder that freedom wasn’t a gift bestowed by the government; it was something that had to be struggled for.” Many Black communities held church services, barbecues, and parades, traditions that continue to this day. Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States.*

Dr. Ronald V. Myers, chairman of the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation:

“Juneteenth is as significant to African Americans as the Fourth of July is to all Americans.”

Juneteenth has its own official flag, designed in 1997 by activist Ben Haith and illustrator Lisa Jeanne Graf. The flag’s symbols layer history and hope. The central star, a reference to Texas where the news of freedom arrived last, represents freedom for all African Americans across the nation. A burst around the star, similar to a nova, signifies a new beginning. An arc stretches out from the burst, symbolizing a bright future brimming with opportunity. Finally, the red, white, and blue echo the American flag, a powerful reminder that Black Americans are indeed part of the fabric of the United States.

Sister Opal Lee aka the “Grandmother of Juneteenth”

“It is important to understand that Juneteenth is a part of our history.” “It’s not a Black thing. It’s not a Texas thing. It’s an American thing.”

The significance of Juneteenth has gained broader recognition in recent years, culminating in its designation as a federal holiday in 2021. This acknowledgment reflects a growing awareness of the need to confront and understand the full scope of American history. As President Joe Biden remarked during the signing ceremony, “All Americans can feel the power of this day and learn from our history and celebrate progress and grapple with the distance we’ve come and the distance we have to travel.”

A particularly sweet tradition associated with Juneteenth is the serving of red velvet cake, symbolizing the bloodshed and strength of African Americans throughout history. The deep red color of the cake is believed to represent several things. Twitty suggests it reflects the red hues significant in West African cultures brought to America by enslaved people, symbolizing power, sacrifice, and transformation. It could also represent the blood spilled during the fight for freedom. Traditional red foods enjoyed during Juneteenth include red punch and hot links.

So, this Juneteenth, as we gather with family and friends, savor the red velvet cake, or perhaps a plate of delicious Gullah red rice, let us also remember the struggles of our ancestors and recommit ourselves to building a future where freedom and justice ring true for all.

*Note: It is debatable whether slavery ended completely in the US in Galveston TX in 1865, as there were states with isolated areas in the US such as Alabama, Louisianna, and Mississippi, where slavery by another name, sharecropping, was very much in practice up until the Civil Rights era. For more information on this subject please watch this VICE documentary on YouTube.