Why Juneteenth Matters: Teaching Youth About Freedom and Liberation

GUEST WRITER: BIANCA HOWARD

I will admit that as a Black person, I wasn’t always cued into the Juneteenth holiday and what it meant. As a young person, my historical African-American Baptist Church in the South mentioned Juneteenth and held small celebrations, but there wasn’t much teaching on it, especially for young people. So, as an adult, when the holiday came around, it wasn’t as significant because I hadn’t learned much about it as a child. However, with it recently becoming a recognized federal holiday, I believe there is increased interest and a greater desire for people to learn. 

Juneteenth was not taught like it should have been in public school history classes, and still isn’t taught in some areas. There has also not been a significant emphasis on teaching youth about the holiday in churches. The history of Juneteenth must be taught and shared with today’s youth, both in schools and in churches, because the concept of freedom is a vital historical and spiritual idea. 

The History of Juneteenth

So, let’s dig in. Juneteenth is a federal holiday recognized on June 19th, commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. The name is a combination of the month “June” and the date “nineteen” or “nineteenth,” creating the word “Juneteenth.” 

The first celebration was in Galveston, Texas. Why Texas? Well, on June 19, 1865, Galveston’s enslaved black people were finally informed they had freedom, nearly two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation, issued January 1, 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation abolished slavery in the United States and stated, “that all persons held as slaves are, and henceforward shall be free.” So, the Juneteenth holiday celebrates that all enslaved people in the US finally knew they were free. 

Symbols of Juneteenth: Flags and Colors

The Juneteenth Flag

The Juneteenth flag was created in 1997 to symbolize the roots of the holiday. The colors associated with Juneteenth are red, white, and blue, reflecting the same colors as the American Flag. The flag’s design features a star with five points, representing the state of Texas and the 50 states of the United States. The larger star on the outside of the five-point star symbolizes a new beginning and a new horizon for black people. The arc with the red and blue colors reflects the promise for Black Americans. 

The Pan-African Flag

The Pan-African flag, which features the colors red, black, and green, is also often used as a symbol for Juneteenth. The red reflects the blood of African Americans, the black represents black people of African descent, and the green represents the land and prosperity of the African continent. 

Why the Church Must Teach Youth About Juneteenth

Helping young people understand this holiday is as important as any other American holiday. It is rooted in our history, and just as we have learned the good and the bad of our country’s history, we need to continue to do the same without fear when discussing the uncomfortable parts of our past. Slavery is one aspect that is worth discussing and should be taught. 

A Free Mini-Lesson on Juneteenth

If you are interested in teaching young people about what freedom and liberation mean and how God desires for us all to be free, enter your name and email below for a free mini-lesson on Juneteenth for your youth.

Bianca Howard

Bianca is an ordained Baptist minister and a graduate of Howard University School of Divinity and Princeton Theological Seminary. She’s currently pursuing a doctorate in Youth, Family, and Culture at Fuller Theological Seminary. With over 20 years of experience in youth ministry, Bianca is the founder of Next Generation Youth Ministry Consulting, LLC. She lives in Atlanta with her spouse and their two children.