No. 53: Juneteenth
No. 53: Juneteenth
Here's to Black futurism, Black joy, collective liberation, and community care.
The legacy of Juneteenth — Juneteenth National Independence Day, Jubilee Day, Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, Black Independence Day — is a day of celebration and joy and an opportunity to unsettle our comforts and recognize freedom as an ongoing and active project.
On June 19, 1865, more than TWO years after Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, Union Army general Gordon Granger announced the news of freedom to enslaved people in Texas, making them the last in the formerly Confederate South to get word of freedom. The next year, beginning in the Black churches of Galveston, Texas, Juneteenth began as an observation and celebration of this belated end to bondage.
This commemoration of slavery’s end is a lesson in how its power persisted and reverberated. Since then, enslavers across the United States of America and beyond have maintained the essence of slavery through a network of oppressive systems that have mutated over time.
At the Regenerative School, we believe in the power of active listening and embodied conversation to promote understanding, inclusivity, and social change. This day serves as a poignant reminder to delve deep into the rich history and heritage of African Americans and explore the broader themes of civil rights and social justice.
We encourage you to engage with your students, colleagues, families, friends and community members in meaningful discussions around Juneteenth and its echoes.
Rē has curated a brief reading list that can be utilized in classrooms, community centers, or for personal exploration to help jumpstart these conversations. These books will deepen your understanding of Juneteenth and its significance.
We want to emphasize that your exploration of Juneteenth should not be limited to a single day or month. We encourage you to incorporate discussions of African American history, achievements, and struggles into your conversations, curriculum, and communities throughout the year. By doing so, we honor the legacy of Juneteenth, acknowledge the present, and work towards a future that upholds the values of freedom, justice, and equality.
Here's to Black futurism.
Here’s to Black joy.
Here’s to collective liberation.
Here’s to community care.
Happy Juneteenth. Sending love to all.
For Adults:
The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
This classic is a powerful evocation of James Baldwin’s early life in Harlem and a disturbing examination of the consequences of racial injustice, the book is an intensely personal and provocative document. It consists of two “letters,” written on the occasion of the centennial of the Emancipation Proclamation, that exhort Americans, both black and white, to attack the terrible legacy of racism.
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
This non-fiction story, is written in the form of a letter to Coates’ then-teenage son about the feelings, symbolism, and realities associated with the Black “lived experience” in the United States.
On Juneteenth by Annette Gordon-Reed
As a historian and Black Texas native, Gordon-Reed enlightens readers and dispels the often misguided information about American history many learned as children. This book, written in essay from, is a detailed historical journey that uncovers the true history of the black experience and chronicles how the fight for equity and equality is ongoing.
Four Hundred Souls by Ibram X. Kendi
With the help of ninety scholars, activists, journalists and historians, Ibram X. Kendi turns a vast history of African ancestry over the last four hundred years into a powerful anthology of Black voices chronologically dictating struggles and triumphant moments in history.
The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration by Isabel Wilkerson
A sweeping examination an often-overlooked part of history, when six million Black Americans uprooted their lives in the south and migrated to northern and western cities in search of a better future, changing the course of their own lives and the new cities they called home.
For Littles:
Let's Celebrate Juneteenth Board Book by Tonya Abari
In just 26 pages, young minds are introduced to the historical and cultural significance of Juneteenth. With brightly colored illustrations by Tabitha Brown, toddlers will see the many ways the holiday is celebrated. They’ll also become familiar with other related terms such as Jubilee Day, Emancipation Day and more.
The Night Before Freedom: A Juneteenth Story by Glenda Armand
This story centers around a six-year-old girl who hears her grandmother retell the story of Juneteenth and the anticipation that preceded it. The rhyming picture book mimics the style and pace of the popular, Twas the Night Before Christmas, lending a familiarity for families reading together.
Juneteenth for Mazie by Floyd Cooper
Mazie is ready to celebrate liberty. She is ready to celebrate freedom. She is ready to celebrate a great day in American history. The day her ancestors were no longer slaves. Mazie remembers the struggles and the triumph, as she gets ready to celebrate Juneteenth.
All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom by Angela Johnson
This stunning picture book includes notes from the author and illustrator, a timeline of important dates, and a glossary of relevant terms. Told in Angela Johnson's signature melodic style and brought to life by E.B. Lewis's striking paintings, All Different Now is a joyous portrait of the first Juneteenth told through the eyes of a little girl.
THIS WEDNESDAY: Celebrate Solstice with Us!
Join us for our first ever “Living Room Series” to celebrate solstice, build community, and ground in nature.
The summer solstice is a time of nourishment and growth both within nature and within ourselves as well as a season of social gathering and celebrating community.
As the season shifts into a period of bountiful light and growth, we invite you to commune with us for a Solstice Garden Gathering. The focus is on connecting with like-minded women, Mother Nature, and ourselves. We will amplify seasonal intentions with custom essential oil roller or spritzer blends for some hands on fun!
Light refreshments (summer snacks) will be provided as well as one magical mixer adult beverage and local botanical ice tea (lemon balm and lavender).
Come learn more about Rē and donate to help us grow!
When: Wednesday, June 21st from 5:30 – 8:00 pm.
Registration fee: $ 45.00 includes a custom essential oil blend roller or spritzer that you will create with the guidance of our local aromatherapist.
We hope to see you soon!
Email us at admin@regenerativeschool.org for more info.
THIS AUGUST: Puerto Rico RēTour
Join us on a journey that encompasses adventure, nourishing relaxation, experiential learning, working alongside locals, and connection. This 10-day trip will be a unique window into the diverse landscapes and culture of Puerto Rico, a beautiful island rich in history. We will delve into and honor Boricua indigenous roots by discussing the island’s continuously complex relationship to its colonizers. We will work with ISER Caribe to support important ecological work and cultural practices while thoughtfully touring this gorgeous island.
Rē is an environmental and social justice organization. All of our educational tours and programming are designed to accommodate individuals from diverse backgrounds and abilities, and prioritize the preservation and regeneration of local ecosystems and communities. We are teachers and students interested in ethical, sustainable tourism and regenerative education.
Program Dates: August 2-12, 2023
Trip cost: $ 2,800 – 3,200 USD
To secure your spot, we request a $500 deposit towards the full trip cost due by July 1, 2023. If the Rē cancels the tour for whatever reason (weather, COVID-19, etc.), we will issue full refunds. However, if you cancel, no refund will be provided.
Participants are responsible for booking and paying for their own roundtrip flights to Puerto Rico before and after the tour.
RēTour pricing includes: accommodations for program duration, local transportation, field trips, excursions, and group meals.
That concludes this week’s newsletter! Our next reading roundup and resource recommendations will be posted Friday, June 30. Subscribe below so you don’t miss it!
Thank you and see you soon,
The Rē Community