Honoring Juneteenth

Juneteenth–June 19th–is now a recognized federal holiday. Also known as Freedom Day, Emancipation Day, or Jubilee Day, Juneteenth commemorates June 19th, 1865, the day that the last remaining enslaved people in the U.S. received word that the Civil War had ended and they had been liberated by the federal orders in President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation back in 1863.

Now Juneteenth is a national holiday celebrating freedom, Black resistance, resilience, and joy. Check out this list of Juneteenth events happening in the Twin Cities! 

For white people and non-Black people of color observing Juneteenth, please remember:

[...] if your celebration looks like taking away or speaking over Black Americans and how they're choosing to celebrate and how they're choosing to stand in their truth, then I don't think that's actually celebrating alongside Black Americans. Just don't interrupt Black folks who are just trying to have a great time (Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman, editor of the essay collection "The Black Agenda," NPR).

Instead, consider what University of Washington assistant professor LaTaSha Levy says about observing Juneteenth for folks who are not Black:

There are no rules for observing Juneteenth, but for people who are not Black, I would encourage education and action. Everyone should read “Black Reconstruction” by W. E. B. DuBois, which gives a brilliant account of the history of the Civil War and Reconstruction as well as rigorous documentation of what he calls “the propaganda of history.” Then do something! There are battles still being waged on all fronts. Find out where you can lend your resources and talents and fight (UW News).

Check out this list of ways to observe Juneteenth without appropriating the holiday:

• Learn the history of Juneteenth and Black Americans

• Watch a documentary

• Read a book like Black Reconstruction (suggested above)

• Visit a museum that centers Black American history

• Read books written by Black authors and poets

• Listen to audiobooks written or narrated by Black authors and poets

• Support Black-owned businesses.

• Where to support Black-owned businesses in the Twin Cities

• Eat at Black-owned restaurants

• A Roundup of Black-Owned Restaurant Lists For Supporting These Businesses in the Twin Cities

• Donate time and/or money to Black-led nonprofits and community organizations

• Celebrate Black joy: Visit the digital Museum of Black Joy

• Do something to make a Black person’s life easier — with their consent

• Don’t leave your anti-racism work behind after Juneteenth

• Amplify Black voices on social media and IRL

• Looking for fitness-specific content? Check out this list of Black fitness pros to follow

Want to know what your Studio ME coaches are doing? Besides helping you be your best self, we have each committed to observing Juneteenth by continuing our own anti-racist journeys. We’re currently reading Chrissy King’s book The Body Liberation Project: How Understanding Racism and Diet Culture Helps Cultivate Joy and Build Collective Freedom as well supporting Black owned small businesses in the Twin Cities. Coach Chelsea highly recommends Heal Restaurant for plant-based goodness and Coach Sami particularly enjoys Pimento!

Studio ME strives to create a fitness space where all are welcome. Thanks for being a part of our community!