Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) celebrates Juneteenth 2022 by highlighting the significance of this federal holiday marking the emancipation of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth offers us the opportunity for reflection, introspection, and healing as we continue to advance the work for racial equity and justice. Use this weekend and beyond to support Black-owned businesses and shops in the Greater Worcester community, read the history of this commemorative day and American chattel slavery, and make a commitment to continue advancing racial, social, and economic justice at WPI. Please note WPI will be closed on Monday, June 20, 2022 in observation of Juneteenth.
Juneteenth also known as:
- Juneteenth National Independence Day
- Emancipation Day
- Freedom Day
- Jubilee Day
- Black Independence Day
- Juneteenth Independence Day
Read, Watch, Listen:
- Explore the Gordon Library’s Diversity & Inclusion: Race, Culture, Ethnicity collection
- Explore Juneteenth Resources online (Mass Technology Leadership Council)
- Explore Juneteenth | Senses of Freedom: The Taste, Sound, and Experience of an African American Celebration online
- Explore Juneteenth.com online
- Explore Focus on Equity for Juneteenth and Beyond online (Learning for Justice)
- Explore The Real Opal Lee online
- Read 'Grandmother of Juneteenth' celebrates federal holiday -- but there is more work to do. Here's how you can help by Ashley Vaughan (CNN)
- Read The Historical Legacy of Juneteenth (NMAAHC)
- Read What Is Juneteenth? by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. (PBS and The Root)
- Read Juneteenth merch is American consumerism at its most crass by Julia Craven (Vox)
- Read Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?: And Other Conversations about Race by Beverly Daniel Tatum, Ph.D.
- E-book available online via Gordon Library
- Read Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds
- Book available at Gordon Library
- Read The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story by Nikole Hannah-Jones
- Book available at Gordon Library
- Watch Juneteenth: A Global Celebration for Freedom live on CNN on Sunday, June 19 at 8:00 PM EST, with pre-show coverage beginning at 7:00 PM EST
- Watch This Is Why Juneteenth Is Important for America 3:32 (The Root)
- Watch Why all Americans should honor Juneteenth 7:12 (Vox)
- Watch "I Am A Slave" - The Roots Meet Schoolhouse Rock - black-ish 1:08 (ABC)
- Watch "We Built This" - Musical Performance from black-ish Season 4 Premiere 1:50 (ABC)
- Listen to the Black Lives Matter Playlist 4 hr 9 min (Spotify)
- Listen to The History and Meaning of Juneteenth 27:49 (The Daily)
- Listen and subscribe to 1619 (The New York Times)
- Listen and subscribe to Louder Than A Riot (NPR)
- Listen and subscribe to Code Switch (NPR)
- Listen and subscribe to Into America (MSNBC)
Take Action:
- Attend the 2nd Annual Juneteenth Flag Raising
- Saturday, June 18, 2022
- 12:00 PM EST
- Worcester City Hall (Worcester, MA)
- Attend the WPI Alumni of Color Association (ACA) Juneteenth Celebration
- Tuesday, June 21, 2022
- 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM EST
- Night Shift Owl's Nest Esplanade (Boston, MA)
- Volunteer for the Black Heritage Juneteenth Festival Committee
- Attend Boston Juneteenth celebrations
- Attend Massachusetts Juneteenth celebrations
- Attend Connecticut Juneteenth celebrations
- Purchase goods and services at Worcester Black-owned businesses and shops:
- Join the NAACP
- Support the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund
- Support the National Urban League
- Support the Know Your Rights Camp
- Support the Juneteenth Foundation
- Support the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI)
- Support the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC)
- Register to Vote -OR- Check Your Voter Registration
- Everything you need to vote. Vote.org
“Juneteenth — also known as Freedom Day — has been a tradition in the United States for more than 150 years. The holiday finds its roots in Texas, where enslaved African-Americans in the city of Galveston were finally informed of their freedom on June 19, 1865, about two and half years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863. Participation in Juneteenth celebrations grew throughout the years as descendants continued traditions in Texas and, as African-Americans in the South migrated across the country, Juneteenth celebrations began appearing in different cities.” –Gina Cherelus, The New York Times
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