Despite its importance to the history of the United States, the Juneteenth holiday is not familiar to many. June 19th, or Juneteenth, commemorates the end of legal slavery in the United States. Specifically, this date represents the day in 1865 on which Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, arrived in Galveston, Texas to read the General Order Number 3, which began by stating:
“The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property, between former masters and slaves and the connection heretofore existing between them, becomes that between employer and hired labor.”
It is critical to note that, while a welcome proclamation for the enslaved people of Texas, the news came nearly two-and-a-half years following Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation of January 1, 1863. This delay meant that Black men, women, and children continued to work as slaves under inhumane conditions for approximately 900 days after the practice was declared illegal by the federal government. Additionally, freed Black slaves and their descendants were not granted equal rights or privileges until 1964, almost a century later. Furthermore, we have only to look at recent events in our country to recognize that racism against Black and Indigenous Persons of Color persists in very real ways in our homes, workplaces, and communities.
In the face of this adversity, Black Americans have demonstrated enormous resilience and achievement. Juneteenth marks an opportunity for all of us to commemorate and celebrate those accomplishments. Included below are some links to learn more about just a few of these many achievements, locally and beyond.
Juneteenth is also an opportunity to reflect on how we can fight anti-black racism through our own education, growth, and action. We encourage our faculty, staff, collaborators, and community members to use this day to celebrate their identity, engage in community service or outreach, or to reflect on and educate ourselves about the ways in which we can all play a part in addressing racial inequity. Below are some community Juneteenth events, many of which are virtual.
In the face of this adversity, Black Americans have demonstrated enormous resilience and achievement. Juneteenth marks an opportunity for all of us to commemorate and celebrate those accomplishments. Included below are some links to learn more about just a few of these many achievements, locally and beyond:
Museums, Exhibits, & Tours
- Charles H. Wright Museum: Linked here.
- Smithsonian National History of African American History & Culture: Freedom Calling: Interactive tour with Founding Director Lonnie Bunch III – guided tour through the Smithsonian’s Slavery & Freedom exhibit: Linked here.
- Motown Museum: Linked here.
- Ruth Ellis Center: Linked here.
- Detroit African-American Heritage Audio (Walking) Tour: Linked here.
Articles to Read
Juneteenth is also an opportunity to reflect on how we can fight anti-black racism through our own education, growth, and action. We encourage our faculty, staff, collaborators, and community members to use this day to celebrate their identity, engage in community service or outreach, or to reflect on and educate ourselves about the ways in which we can all play a part in addressing racial inequity. Below are some community Juneteenth events, many of which are virtual:
- University of Michigan:
- The University of Michigan Office for Health Equity & Inclusion is hosting an event on June 19 at 1pm. Faculty and students are invited to meet outside on the sidewalks of East or West Medical Center drive to kneel for 8 minutes 46 seconds in reflection and tribute to George Floyd and all of those who have lost their lives to racial injustice. *Must wear a mask and social distance appropriately. Event details here.
- Ann Arbor:
- March for Change in Ann Arbor - event organized by Evan Valentine, Justice Mangual, and Liam Morast, Survivors Speak, and activist Akshita Verma. Participants are encouraged to meet at the Diag (913 S. University Avenue) to join others in the March, which is scheduled for 12 pm to 2 pm. *Masks and social distancing required. More information on the Facebook event page here.
- Detroit:
- Weeklong Juneteenth Celebrations: The city of Detroit is holding various interactive community discussions, education, and celebratory events from June 12-June 19. These include talks on Black Mental Health, the importance of education in the Black community and a Freedom Rally and Street Art exhibition. For more details, visit the link here.
- Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History: Events include a multi-museum virtual celebration, bringing together 6 major Black museums and historical institutions nationally (6/19), the art and music of Charlie Parker (6/17), and a youth-oriented event (6/16). More details here.
- Lansing: Though in-person events were canceled, a PSA will be held on June 19th via the city website here.
- Flint: holding virtual and in-person events between June 14-19. Details here.