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Why You Need To Care About Juneteenth

By Author
June 17, 2021

Why You Need To Care About Juneteenth

History

Saturdays in June are known for beaches, sunshine, and time off work. However, the third Saturday in June is also spent celebrating a major milestone in American history.

One of “the longest-running African-American holidays” has become a popular buzzword in recent years. Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Liberation Day, and Emancipation Day, is an infamous day in the Black community but a lesser-known holiday in other communities.

What is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth — a portmanteau of June and nineteenth — is an American holiday celebrating the emancipation of enslaved people after the civil war. It is celebrated on June 19, but it can also be celebrated on the third Saturday in June.

While President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862, it took nearly 3 years for the news to travel to Texas. Juneteenth, which originated in Galveston, Texas, commemorates June 19, 1865, when General Order No. 3 was delivered by Union General Gordon Granger in Texas.

The Emancipation Proclamation enforcement required the Union troops supervision, and Texas was the most remote of the Confederate states. It had a low presence of Union soldiers after the American Civil War ended, and enforcement had been inconsistent before the general’s announcement.

However, despite the Juneteenth marker, Delaware and Kentucky both continued to enslave people later in 1865.

Is Juneteenth a National Holiday?

As of June 17, 2021, President Biden signed a bill into law making Juneteenth an official national holiday recognized by the federal government.

The country as a whole didn’t recognize Juneteenth as a holiday until the late 1970s. Texas became the first to make the historic day a state holiday in 1979. Since then, the holiday has spread nationwide. While there were only 8 states officially recognizing the day in 2002, it jumped to almost half of the 50 states by 2008 and almost all states in 2021, plus the District of Columbia.

Some states even offer paid leave for its employees on Juneteenth, including Virginia, New York, and New Jersey.

Why Do We Still Celebrate Juneteenth?

While Juneteenth officially began in 1865, Black Americans still struggled for decades more just to get to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which legally prohibits discrimination based on race.

With the rise of Black Lives Matter since its founding in 2013, Juneteenth has become more common across America. In 2020, following the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless others, the movement was forced into the spotlight and with it the Juneteenth holiday in the midst of nationwide protests.

Today, Juneteenth celebrations often revolve around lectures and exhibits on Black culture through the ages.

Contact Us Today

More than 7 million Black Americans reported having a mental illness in 2018, which is more than the populations of Houston, Chicago, and Philadelphia combined. However, many in the Black community hold a strong stigma against mental health needs and seeking help through therapy.

If you’re looking for mental health services, contact us today to schedule an appointment.

When you think of the well-being of a child, you first think of basic needs: food, water, and shelter. Once these needs are met, however, it’s crucial for a child to have emotional and social wellness as well. In this article, we will explore the impact social wellness has on the overall health of a child and great ways for children to garner social support in their lives.

It comes as no surprise that as human beings, we all need connection with others, no matter what stage of life we are in. In fact, having social support is a social determinant of health (SDOH) that significantly impacts the health of an individual. After spending the last few years in and out of isolation due to the Covid-19 outbreak, social support is more important now than ever before. Having social support means having family members and friends you can talk to and seek advice from when life feels challenging and overwhelming. Knowing you’re not alone in your life journey, especially as a child, creates a sense of belonging and empowerment throughout one’s life.

4 Types of Social Support

Emotional Support. This type of support lets you know that people care about you and have empathy for your experiences. Emotional support often looks like people checking in on you to let you know they’re thinking of you, and that they are there if you need anything. As a parent, make sure your child knows you can be a sounding board for them. If you have family members who can also show up for your children in this way, even better!

Practical Help. This type of support is when people give you something tangible or offer a service to help you out. This could be in the form of money, making food when you are sick, or helping to pack when moving. Having family and friends show up in this way shows your child what it looks like to be present for people you love.

Sharing Points of View. This type of support can often come in the form of affirmations and encouragement. For example, pointing out your child’s strengths to them and reminding them they can do anything they put their mind to. It can also look like sharing another perspective if they are being hard on themselves. For example, if they are angry with themselves after receiving a bad grade on a test, you can help them see it as a learning experience and a way for them to grow.

Sharing Information. This type of support is when someone shares what they’ve learned from their own life experiences. For example, if another parent has a child who struggles with socializing, they can share some tips and tricks they’ve learned to help their child find and create social support.

The Importance of Social Groups and Extended Support

Children who are connected to their family, friends, and people in their community have opportunities to learn how to speak, share, and get along with others. When your child feels connected to people in your neighborhood, it often allows them to feel physically safe which can alleviate stress and worry. Simply riding bikes, going on walks, and saying hello to neighbors with your kids can create this sense of security for them.

In addition to engaging with your neighbors, getting involved in local organizations can also create social support for your child. Signing up for a sports team, musical theater, art class or summer camp are all great ways to help your child meet new friends and learn important social skills that can carry them through their lives.

Tips for Helping Kids Make Community Connections:

Spend time outside in your neighborhood playing on the playground, going to a local farmer’s market, or scheduling a playdate with neighborhood kids.

Show your kids that connection is a two-way street. If your neighbors or friends go out of town, offer to get their mail, or water their plants and take your child with you when you go. This will show your child how you show up for people you care about.

Make sure you make time for socializing with friends as well. Your child looks to you first and foremost for how they should act and live their own life.

Encourage your child to step out of their comfort zone and do something they may be scared to do. As a parent, it’s your job to push them into something social for their own well-being at times.