This Thursday marks four years since Juneteenth was signed into law as a federal holiday on June 17, 2021. However, the day has been commemorated by the African American community since 1865.
What might seem like a shortened day or a break from work, June 19 has more hidden meanings than its catchy name. 160 years have passed since America’s second independence day, so here’s a guide to how to respectfully understand Juneteenth.
What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth is a bit misleading because January 1, 1863, also known as “Freedom’s Eve,” was when all enslaved African Americans were declared legally free from slavery under the Emancipation Proclamation. As soon as the report was announced, Union soldiers marched across America to different plantations to spread the news.
By the time the information hit every plantation and Confederate-controlled states finally released enslaved people, it had been two years. June 19, 1865 was the day the proclamation and freedom of enslaved people in rebelling Confederate-controlled states was enforced.
To ensure the freedom of all enslaved people, the Reconstruction Amendments were introduced. The 13th Amendment ended slavery, the 14th provided citizenship to the freed, and the 15th provided the freed citizens the right to vote and hold office. Despite the last amendment not applying to Black women until 1965 because of the Voting Rights Act, Juneteenth became a response to Frederick Douglass’ question, “What to a slave is the Fourth of July?”
To celebrate the holiday, African Americans have used food to represent resilience, unity, and community heritage. Chef Maya Camille, founder of Chicago’s Justice of The Pies, spoke to Spoon University about the stigma that Black Americans have no culture, and how the food born out of Black American culture proves that wrong. “Food can be the element that defines culture more than any other thing,” she says. “Food is an art form and the largest indicator for how much culture [Black Americans] have.”
What foods are prepared to celebrate Juneteenth?
Chicago Historian Sherman “Dilla” Thomas believes there is strength in celebrating Juneteenth through food because it tells a bigger story about the enslaved people risking their lives to get food. “Not every plantation allowed [enslaved people] to have gardens, so they risked their lives to steal something worth celebrating while eating it,” Thomas told Spoon University. “Having just a simple thing like an apple or an orange for a child on their birthday probably meant the world to them.”
The cuisine for celebrating Juneteenth is rooted in Black recipes maintained during chattel slavery. Although some people have put their own spin on the original recipes, these Juneteenth foods still represent something when eaten on the day.
Black-Eyed Peas
Black-eyed peas is a food staple in many African and southern cuisines. The black and cream-colored bean represents resilience, prosperity, and good luck. To prepare, they are rinsed, soaked, and seasoned to be served on a bed of rice.
Yams (preferably purple) & Sweet Potatoes
“Always, always yams,” Thomas told Spoon. “The love and celebration of yams would have been passed down because of a lot of Black people coming from the western region of Africa.”
In addition to being a key ingredient in sweet potato pie, yams and sweet potatoes hold great significance as a connection to West African culture. As a staple crop in the diet of enslaved Africans brought to America, the vegetable symbolized wealth and good fortune. Purple yams added even more color and nutrients to Juneteenth celebrations. TikTok creator @cookinwithjai made the process of making candied yams easier by throwing everything into a pot on the stove.
Hibiscus Tea & Strawberry Soda
Drinking something red is a necessity when celebrating Juneteenth. The bright colors of drinks like hibiscus tea and strawberry soda symbolize the sacrifices of Black Americans during slavery and the power of their community. TikTok creator @nikki.mov explained how hibiscus is known as a healing flower and makes a hibiscus ginger peach drink with Equianos Rum which is a Black-owned brand.
BBQ
Barbecuing on Juneteenth symbolizes a sense of togetherness and community from just being outside on the grill which is what the holiday is all about. Whether you’re using TikTok creator @themoodyfoody’s dad’s chicken recipe or vegan burgers, the act of gathering and sharing food is what is most important.
Mac & Cheese
The ultimate side that has numerous variations is mac and cheese. Despite its ability to spark debate, this cheesy goodness represents comfort and strength.
Watermelon
Not only can watermelon serve as a juicy fruit on a hot day, but it can also brighten up a salad and make it more tasty by being grilled. The red color of watermelon dials up its significance in addition to representing resilience within the African American community.
Cornbread
Although there have been arguments about putting actual corn in cornbread, the gold color of the dish symbolizes freedom and prosperity. To add to the gold theme, TikTok creator @itsashleyrenee__ shared her recipe for brown butter and honey butter cornbread that would go perfectly with some BBQ to celebrate Juneteenth. Collard greens are also a popular side to go with cornbread, and Thomas says, “I would encourage people to take in something green because [Black people] ate from the land.”
These dishes are small pieces of a bigger story that is the birth of African American history. “Food and Juneteenth celebrations go hand-in-hand because the food was born out of a means to deprive Black Americans of healthier ingredients,” Chef Camille said. “When you question Black Americans’ culture, just look to our food.”
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