Juneteenth is a federal holiday that recognizes the end of slavery. In 1865, General Gordon Granger was sent to Texas to make an announcement to the enslaved people that slavery had ended. A year after General Granger came to Texas, people began to celebrate Juneteenth in Galveston.
People would travel to Galveston each year to celebrate Juneteenth, recognizing the freedom of those who were enslaved. Eventually the celebration spread to other states, too.
Dr. Jennifer Ross, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, shares why it’s important to talk to your kids about Juneteenth and how to do so.
Why should we talk to kids about Juneteenth?
“It’s important that we celebrate Juneteenth and that kids understand the importance of Juneteenth,” said Dr. Ross.
She outlines these reasons why we should talk to kids about Juneteenth:
- It’s a national holiday and kids should understand why
- It’s a celebration of freedoms, and everyone can identify with freedoms
- It’s part of American history and we want to make sure kids have a clear understanding of their history
“Everyone understands what it means to be free, and not that everyone is completely free, but that we’re working towards freedoms here in our country,” she said.
How can parents talk to their kids about Juneteenth?
There are a lot of resources you can use to talk to your kids about Juneteenth. Dr. Ross recommends:
YouTube: There are several educational videos that help explain Juneteenth in a way kids can understand. Dr. Ross recommends PBS’ Juneteenth videos.
Sesame Street: Let’s Celebrate Juneteenth Song | Power of We Club – YouTube
PBS KIDS Celebrates: Juneteenth | PBS KIDS #Shorts (youtube.com)
The History of Juneteenth | Videos for Kids | Storytelling – YouTube
Books: There are several great children’s books about Juneteenth. Dr. Ross recommends these titles:
- Let’s Celebrate Juneteenth by Tonya Abari
Dr. Ross says: “This is a quick, easy read about Juneteenth. Very simple, a few words, but still helps children begin to understand why this holiday is so important.”
- Juneteenth for Mazie by Floyd Cooper
Dr. Ross says: “This book tells the story of a grandfather telling his granddaughter all about her great-great-grandfather, and when he learned that he was no longer enslaved.”
- The Juneteenth Story: Celebrating the End to Slavery in the United States by Alliah L. Agostini and Sawyer Cloud
Dr. Ross says: “Another amazing book that provides lots of details, lots of information about Juneteenth.”
These books and others on Juneteenth can be found in the Unity Center at Akron Children’s. Dr. Ross also recommends checking out your local library for more resources.
“Go to your local library, go on YouTube and find as many books as you can and just sit and read those books to your child. We welcome you here in the Unity Center. Come in and read with your child. We’ll even take some time out and read with them as well.”
Museums: Go to a museum (virtually or in-person) to learn about African-American culture, African-American arts, and African-American history, which is all a part of our American history.
Local events: Because Juneteenth is a national holiday, there will be local events commemorating it.
“Within a lot of African-American communities, there’s lots of cultural celebrations around Juneteenth. So just to go out to one of those events, have fun, talk to people, learn as much as you can. A lot of these celebrations have food, games, and there’s activities that you can engage in, and it’s a time for education and celebration in that community,” said Dr. Ross.
If you’re looking for an event in the Akron-area on Juneteenth, the Unity Center at Akron Children’s will be holding a Juneteenth event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. It will feature books, videos and trivia about Juneteenth and food.
“We’ll have a good time and everyone can come together and learn from one another,” she added.
The Unity Center is located on the third floor of the main hospital building just past the gift shop.
