On the 19th of June 1865, a group of Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, with the news that the more than 250,000 enslaved Black people in Texas were now free – more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed into law. This day – a portmanteau of ‘June’ and ‘nineteenth’ – is now known as Juneteenth, honoured in the US as the day slavery ended. It also commemorates those who were still enslaved after the Civil War despite the end of the war and the passing of the Emancipation Proclamation.
The US National Archives and Records Administration, records that Juneteenth has been celebrated for more than 150 years, predominantly by African-American communities, for liberty, endurance and human worth. While it was a de facto state holiday in many regions for decades, Juneteenth was designated a federal holiday for all of the US in 2021, helping to raise the profile and share the story of what continues to be an under-observed milestone in American history.
Juneteenth allows us to praise the courageous resistance and monumental sacrifices of enslaved Africans and their descendants, while also celebrating their resilient spirit, rich cultural heritage and significant contributions to the US. It is a day in which to remember the ugly truth and enduring legacy of slavery and its shadow over the racial history of our nation, while also coming together in community, establishing new customs, and nurturing a hope for renewal.
Community Gatherings
Pages, cities, towns and neighbourhoods plan Juneteenth parades, concerts, festivals, read-a-thons, museum exhibits and more. These events serve as a cultural explosion of Black art, music, food and culture set in spaces of communion, connection and education as well as entrepreneurship and expressions of unity. Most importantly, Juneteenth celebrates purely and absolutely the Black life.
Here are some traditional and delicious meal ideas to celebrate. These foods often reflect the culinary traditions that descended from the era of slavery and oppression.
Main Dishes:
- Barbecued meats like smoked brisket, pulled pork, or ribs are very popular. The BBQ tradition has roots in African-American culinary history.
- Fried chicken or chicken-fried steak
- Cajun/Creole dishes like gumbo, jambalaya, or red beans and rice
- Chitterlings (chitlins) – A classic food made from pig intestines
Sides:
- Collard greens or other greens like mustard or turnip greens
- Black-eyed peas
- Candied yams/sweet potatoes
- Cornbread
- Macaroni and cheese
- Baked beans
- Potato salad
- Coleslaw
Drinks:
- Lemonade
- Sweet tea
- Red drink (made with hibiscus tea)
Desserts:
- Peach cobbler
- Banana pudding
- Sweet potato pie
- Red velvet cake
- Pound cake
- Fruit salad
- Watermelon
Vernon Alston, a former chef, is an extraordinary personality with a rich history of food and a creative cooking style. Being the one for Vernon high proficiency in pro cuisine and also thanks to the years of his experience, he has succeeded in enhancing his skills, thus, deputtering the reputation of him as a chef, who is league in creating unforgettable dishes.
