Anti-Racism Resources - Juneteenth
[Image description: On a black background is an illustration of three raised fists signifying people of color. Below that is are red, yellow, and green paint stripes with the words “Juneteenth Freedom Day” in black over the paint stripes.]
Each month, we feature educational resources in the NAAFA Newsletter to support our community in working to dismantle systemic racism. These resources are also shared on our social media, blog, and website. Resources vary from month to month, and may include historical information, tools for personal reflection, or information about how to get involved and make change. Many of the resources we suggest will be introductory resources, and this information is never intended to be full coverage on the complex and nuanced topics that are chosen each month. We encourage you to continue learning, and we especially hope you will seek out and support scholars, artists, creators, and activists who represent the communities most impacted by the topic of the month.
In this special edition of Anti-Racism Resources, we invite you to join us in exploring resources about Juneteenth.
History of Juneteenth [video] - Though Juneteenth only became a national holiday in 2021, it has a long and fascinating history. This short explainer takes you through a brief history of the important day, and puts it in context against the backdrop of continued struggle.
Juneteenth celebration expands despite civil rights backlash - With changing policies on DEI and orders excluding large parts of our history, Juneteenth, the celebration of end of slavery in Texas is gaining strength around the country, at least for now.
How to properly celebrate Juneteenth in the age of commercialization - An engaging 2022 NPR interview with Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman, editor of the essay collection "The Black Agenda," this quick and easy listen addresses whether white people should celebrate Juneteenth, the Walmart Juneteenth ice cream flavor, and more.
Juneteenth Is by Natasha Triplett and Illustrated by Daniel J. O’Brien - Family and community have always been the backbone of Juneteenth celebrations. Juneteenth Is focuses on the joy of gathering, honoring the fight for Black liberation, and supporting Black history as American history. Either read aloud or independently, children and parents alike can use this text to fuel important conversations.
Juneteenth 2025: How Employers Can Honor Juneteenth at Work and Support Black Employees Year-Round - Diversity.com offers direction to employers around Juneteenth observances and ways to be “compliant” while also being supportive of their employees and a diverse workplace.
When Juneteenth was just ours: Reflecting on the national recognition of a holiday that was once just for Black folks - Well-intentioned white people often feel inclined to lean in too much to some of the more performative aspects of allyship. On one hand, acknowledging and learning the history of Juneteenth as a white person feels important as a way of knowing our own horrible history, and on the other, it is possible for spaces to not be for us (shocking) and we should be mindful to acknowledge when and how our presence is most helpful in the fight for racial equity. Turns out, centering ourselves in everything is not the ally move we might think it is.
Companies are selling Juneteenth branded products. Here's why that's a big problem - In the wake of Juneteenth becoming a national holiday in 2021, some companies made major missteps in “celebrating” (capitalizing on) it. The article goes on to give a brief history of Juneteenth, and discuss how some companies are partnering with Black and brown celebrities in an effort to be more inclusive.
