Juneteenth — Let's ALL Celebrate.

As a small business owner, I get to use this very small podium to do good. Maybe it offends you, maybe it endears us to you. Either way, I have to be true to our mission of doing good, for people and planet. This Juneteenth resource list is What's Good's small effort to keep the momentum and learning going during this incredible 'Awakening' that is happening across the USA. We're not the only business taking action: LOVE146officially made Juneteenth a paid holiday for all of its US employees. YES! And Ben & Jerry's, Ice cream and Equality! Tell us what your company is doing in our comment section below. 

Juneteenth is a day for all of us to appreciate the African-American experience. It is not an 'other' or 'their' holiday, it is everyone's holiday. Yours and mine. Ours. Slavery and the centuries of anti-black racism is our collective American history. What a wonderful holiday that both celebrates the end of slavery, black American culture, and reminds us that liberty and justice is for all.

Just as we reflect and honor our veterans on Veteran's Day, we don't have to be Veterans to participate. This day is an opportunity to for all Americans, regardless of your skin color or ancestry, to learn about and reflect on the black American experience, because black history is American history. Because what hurts black Americans today, hurts all Americans. It's also a day to celebrate our fellow citizens, to recognize the systemic racism in American that still exists 155 years later, and to ignite a flame in each of us to help change it. Doesn't matter if you're Republican or Democrat, you just need to be human. 

By the way, Juneteenth has been celebrated since 1868, and while it's not yet a Federal Holiday, it is officially recognized in all US states except Hawaii. 

Google search will land you with days and days of Juneteenth exploration — helping us all better understand the complex and uncomfortable culture of our past and present. Since most of us don't have that kind of time, we put together an incomplete list of resources. Feel free to add to it, just submit a comment below.

Speaking of Google, today's #GoogleDoodle is lovely. Follow this link and hit play. Be sure the sound is on. You'll want to hear it several times. Google's Gorgeous Juneteenth Doodle

Listed below are a few links to explore. If you're short on time, here's a bulleted list of fast facts:

• June + Nineteenth = Juneteenth
• 49 of the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia have recognized Juneteenth as either a state holiday or ceremonial holiday, a day of observance.
• It is not a Federal Holiday (yet, sign this petition to help)
• Also known as: Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Liberation Day
• First Celebrated in Austin, Texas in 1867
• 113 years later, in 1980, Texas became the first state to declare Juneteenth as a state holiday 
• In 1860 there were 3,953,760 slaves (That is the entire population of Los Angeles or 8 Atlanta's!)
• It IS appropriate to say "Happy Juneteenth"
• It's celebrated in much the same way July 4th is celebrated: parades, family gatherings, festivals, BBQ's, reflection and learning, and fellowship. 

This! Watch this!

History of Juneteenth from Wikipedia

History of Juneteenth from juneteenth.com — this is a good resource to dig and fully understand how and where it's celebrated.

This is how we Juneteenth by Gina Cherelus

Juneteenth and The Meaning of Freedom by Jelani Cobb

Congress Should Make Juneteenth a National Holiday

For home schoolers and teachers, here are some facts and worksheets for kids.

25 books for kids and adults to celebrate Juneteenth and reflect on history of slaveryby Hannah Yasharoff

 The Juneteenth Flag

There is so much more to learn and to add, please send us your links in the comments section below.