NMBLC breaks down what Juneteenth is about and lists Juneteenth 2021 celebrations happening this weekend.
What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth is a celebration of the end of slavery in the United States. The first death blow to slavery was dealt with the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. In actuality, the practice of slavery did not end until over two years later. On June 19, 1865, the last of the enslaved people in Galveston Texas were informed by Union troops that slavery had been abolished. “Juneteenth” is a conjugation of “June” and “nineteenth.” The first official Juneteenth celebration took place the following year in Texas. As Black people migrated from Texas to other parts of the country, the Juneteenth tradition spread.
Today, 47 states, including New Mexico, recognize or observe Juneteenth. The push to make it a national holiday now has a chance for success. On Tuesday, June 15, 2021, a bill to make Juneteenth a US holiday passed unanimously in the Senate. UPDATED: On Wednesday, June 16, 2021, the House passed the bill 415-14. On Thursday, June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden signed the bill into law .
Rising Awareness of Juneteenth
“I didn’t know about Juneteenth until I was nineteen years old.”
—Laurence Fishburne, actor, Black-ish
It’s not uncommon, even among Black people, to not really know what Juneteenth is. I didn’t hear about it until well into adulthood. I took even longer to know what it was about.
“I knew about Juneteenth but never fully understood it.”
—Marsai Martin, actor, Black-ish
It was this lack of national awareness that inspired the famous “Juneteenth” episode of the sitcom Black-ish. In the episode, Anthony Anderson’s character grapples with the fact that he and his family don’t celebrate the holiday and possibly don’t want to, since it’s a reminder of the enslavement of African and African American people in the U.S. This real day conflict is interspersed with musical numbers explaining slavery, emancipation, and the oppression that followed. Even now it feels incredible that the episode aired on mainstream television.
“Having this moment on prime time television, to say this is not only something that we as Black people should be able to celebrate loudly and proudly, but this is something that we should expect everybody to know.”
— Yara Shahidi, Black-ish
Celebrate Juneteenth 2021 in New Mexico at one of these events
How will you celebrate Juneteenth this year? Whether it’s firing up the grill, watching your favorite Black shows, or just taking a moment to be thankful, Juneteenth 2021 is a chance to celebrate freedom. With the state opening up this summer, there are opportunities to share this joy in person. Scroll down for some Juneteenth 2021 events happening this weekend.
New Mexico Juneteenth 2021: “To A Higher Ground”
Friday, June 18– Sunday, June 20, 2021
Civic Plaza, Downtown Albuquerque
Spend a weekend celebrating the deep rooted Black culture in New Mexico. This festival is for the community and put on by members of the community.
New Mexico Black Voters Collaborative (NMBVC) will have a booth at this Juneteenth event and is hosting a meet and greet with New Mexico legislators on Saturday, June 19th from 6PM to 7PM. Elected officials joining NMBVC are Representative Melanie Stansbury, State Senator Harold Pope, Jr., and Chief Public Defender Bennett Baur.
For the event details, click here.
For the Facebook event, click here.
Must RSVP for this free event. To RSVP, click here.
The People’s Juneteenth 2021
Saturday, June 19, 2021 4:30PM -9:30PM
Dennis Chavez Community Center, Southeast Albuquerque
A Hood by Hood Block by Block Event.
United in continuing to bring the Black/African community here in Albuquerque.
For the event details, click here.
Celebrate Juneteenth Love and Happiness Get Down
Saturday, June 19, 2021 6:00PM–10:00PM
Historic Santa Fe Plaza, Santa Fe
Come celebrate LOVE & HAPPINESS with A Soul, Funk, Motown + Latin Get Down!
For the event details, click here.
Juneteenth Jazz Festival at the Branigan Cultural Center Virtual Event
Friday, June 18 – Saturday, June 19, 2021
Online, courtesy of the City of Las Cruces
Experience the power of jazz, history, and Black Movements with this celebration of Juneteenth and jazz!
For the event details, click here.
The events will take place fully online and can be accessed at the link: https://rebrand.ly/JuneteenthJazz
Juneteenth Celebration 2021
Saturday, June 19, 2021, 6:00PM
NMSU Presley Askew Baseball Field, Las Cruces
Black Student Association, ASNMSU, and Black Programs at New Mexico State University (NMSU) invite you to educate, liberate, and commemorate.
For the event details, click here.
Juneteenth New Mexico NJOF 2021 Espanola
Saturday, June 19—Sunday, June 19, 2021
Plaza de Española Mision Museum and Education Center, Northern New Mexico College, Ranchitos Park
New Mexico National Juneteenth Observance Foundation is organizing its first Juneteenth celebration in Espanola.
For the event details, click here.
