Think Together Celebrates: Juneteenth
“When we talk about race, we honor who children and teens are as learners. A conversation with a caring adult allows children to feel safe and ask questions instead of drawing conclusions about race and racism based on implicit and explicit messaging from the world around them and their own limited knowledge. Reading is a powerful way to nurture a child’s sense of curiosity and build a foundation for having bigger conversations about race over time.” – Smithsonian
Juneteenth is an opportunity to pause, recognize and cement this moment in our nation’s history. June 19, 1865, signifies the date that Union Soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas with news the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free, two and half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.
The holiday is also known as Freedom Day and has been officially celebrated as early as 1866 by the African American communities recently freed from enslavement in Texas. The holiday quickly spread nationwide and has been commemorated annually by African Americans for over 150 years. Early celebrations included the singing of spirituals and prayer meetings. Into the 21st century, Juneteenth observances grew to include festivals with parades, food, musical performances, family reunions and rallies to honor African American culture.
We join in the celebration of Juneteenth to promote and cultivate knowledge and appreciation of African American history and culture. It’s a celebration of freedom, achievement and encouraging others to work on continuous self-development and respect for all cultures.
Over the month of June, Think Together staff will engage students in lessons about the importance of Juneteenth to our nation, the meaning behind the day and will then apply their learning by holding celebrations!
What does that curriculum look like?
Think Together’s K-5th grade students will learn about what the Juneteenth flag symbolizes, decorate the Juneteenth flag, and wave it proudly! Our students will talk about the injustice done to enslaved people in Texas, whose message of emancipation was delayed for over two years. As the students wave their Juneteenth flag, they will be equipped to teach their family and friends about the importance of Freedom Day.
Our 6th-12th grade students take a deeper dive into learning about Juneteenth. After watching informative videos, staff and students answer a set of questions together. They ask, “Why are there two Independence Days?” “How does it make you feel that there were over 250,000 enslaved people that received the news that slaves were free two and a half years after it actually happened?” and “Why do you think it’s important to acknowledge and celebrate Juneteenth?”
Think Together embraces daily curricula that center and celebrate diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging for our students. To commemorate Juneteenth, students and staff at Think Together will encourage respectful dialogue, unlearn implicit bias, and educate ourselves on different perspectives, backgrounds, and cultures. It is equally important to continue these conversations at home to facilitate a growth mindset and encourage continuous learning.
We hope that you will join us in learning more!
