Why should you celebrate Juneteenth?
By Nadia Wong
For the summer, I decided to stay in Washington, D.C. instead of returning to my hometown of Tampa, FL. I have never spent a summer away from my family so this is a new experience for me. I am determined for this summer to be one of self-development and improvement. I am on the quest of developing my professionalism. Washington, D.C. is the best place for me right now seeing that there are so many Black young professionals and talented creatives. Another goal that I have is to connect back to my WHY. This semester was definitely character developing. As an ambitious black woman, I have been in a state of restlesses more than a few times trying to balance all that I have taken on. This has taken me out of alignment with my WHY more than a few times. In the pursuit of trying to connect to my purpose I have been in conversation with new people and opening my horizons.
On June 15th, I was invited to a conference for entrepreneurs hosted by PNC and my school Howard University. This conference was brought together to give established and aspiring entrepreneurs from HBCUs a space to connect and learn from each other. I was beyond excited to attend this seminar but frankly I didn't know what to expect. I was worried that this conference was going to be like a car sales expo, filled with individuals, who wanted to sell me get rich quick schemes, fronted by a “black-excellence” exterior. Boy, was I wrong! And glad to be so.
When I walked into the conference my heart was elated as I saw so many black professionals of different industries all brought into one space to collaborate. Conversations filled the room about the future of black fashion, social justice initiatives, and specific knowledge on how to operate a business as a black person. As I talked with the people and contributors to this festival it became abundantly clear to me that I was in the correct space. Through fellowship, conversation, and collectivism I was able to learn so much in a short time from the people who dominate the industries that I want to break into. Usually these types of events intimidate me but this space felt different. I was surrounded by people of similar backgrounds; academically and culturally. Black entrepreneurs make up 3% of the world’s economic population, so seeing a ballroom full of thriving, happy, and self-assured entrepreneurs was inspiring to say the least. It assured me that I was on the right path. The Conference was also implemented to further discussion of Afro Futurism and what that looks like in real life. To me, Afro-Futurism is more than just chrome accessories and black people in spaceships. Afro-Futurism is a collective envision of black communities blossoming through innovation for the future. Afro-Futurism is also about honoring the culture developed by the African diaspora. With Juneteenth approaching, I think it’s important that we consider the topic of Afro-Futurism when discussing the importance of celebrating the historic holiday.
Juneteenth Legacy
When the last slaves of the American chattel slave trade were freed in Galveston Bay, Texas on June 19, 1865 the day was branded Freedom Day, in honor of the slaves who were given their freedom deferred. It was later named Juneteenth and became federally recognized in 2022. Now Americans all around the nation celebrate Juneteenth by gathering and retelling the history that brought the need for Juneteenth. Juneteenth is a reminder of the resilience of black people.
I think of Juneteenth as a celebration of black optimism for the liberation of black souls. It’s about sustaining legacy. Although my family is from Guyana (a country in South American/The Caribbean) being a black American woman, I find myself celebrating Juneteenth as I am now a part of that reimagined history of Black people in America. Being afforded the opportunity to live in the city of Washington, D.C. independently and attend my HBCU, as a black woman is firstly a blessing, but also a combination of my own vision and the vision of the people who came before me. I am the first in my family to seek formal education, post high-school. I am also the first to move away and pursue a career outside of the traditional service and healthcare industry.
If we think about Afro-Futurism, as a vision of the future of Black Liberation, then our ancestors were the first afro-futurism enthusiasts. They rebelled, lobbied, protested, and activated against racial injustice, for their rights and a future filled with more opportunities for black people everywhere. Not only for the improvement of the quality of their own once present generation but for the lives of Black generations to come. Recognizing that the moment we are in now was once a part of our ancestors' wildest imaginations is crucial to our communities longevity. Whether you are a direct descendant of slaves, or just a part of the African Diaspora, your blackness should be something you learn and appreciate. It is a shield of honor, branded with the legacy of black hope.
Remembering the past, is how we honor the sacrifices made. We keep the legacy of our people alive by being in conversation about the state of Black People consistently. Juneteenth is a yearly reminder of the sacrifices of our ancestors and lives barred from total fulfillment. Celebrating it can look different for everyone. For me, it looks like learning about the rich history of Washington, D.C. also known as Chocolate City, for its large population of Black People, businesses, and culture. I plan to join my friends here to bring in the holiday with music, food, and dancing. But to truly say I honor the legacy of Juneteenth is to celebrate my blackness not only one day out of the year but every day that I am alive. My blackness is a gift. I honor it by living out my ambitions, taking care of myself, and embettering my community through collectivism.
