Holidays are a defining characteristic of all cultures. It’s a time for the members of a group, whether national or religious, to reflect on a defining aspect of who they are. They can commemorate historical events, celebrate acts of heroism, and remind us of those who’ve passed on. The forms that these holy days take are nearly as numerous as the number of existing holidays, but the function is almost always the same. They connect us to the identity of the group we occupy and give us narratives for flourishing within it.
So it is in our American context. Our holidays tell stories of who we are, where we’ve come from, and what we value. Unfortunately, many of these narratives originate solely from a majority perspective, and often turn a blind eye to the struggle of minority groups. Enter Juneteenth. A lesser known holiday who’s adherence and celebration honors the freedom we as Americans enjoy, while also admitting and lamenting the struggle that many minority groups have had in attaining said freedom. Perhaps Juneteenth is the most American of any holiday.
Emanuel Padilla and Michael Yorke join us in conversation on this episode as we talk about the History of Juneteenth, how holidays shape our thinking, and how we can give due diligence to both America’s triumphs and shortcomings in the retelling of our own history.