Why is the color red for Juneteenth?

City leaders and one organizer for the Dothan Juneteenth parade, TriState Expo explained how this color got its stripes. “Red stands for of course the blood that was shed on the pathway to freedom,” TriState Expo spokesperson Leah McKay said. “Traditionally for juneteenth most celebrations celebrate with red food.”

How are we supposed to celebrate Juneteenth?

For some, it’s eating barbecue, shooting fireworks, gathering at a cookout and sipping on red drinks, a tradition that symbolizes perseverance and honors the blood that was shed of African-Americans. For others, it’s shopping only at black-owned businesses, sharing history or resting at home.

What foods are eaten on Juneteenth?

Juneteenth red foods include cookout favorites like barbecued meat and hot links, and other traditional favorites like red beans and rice and hot sauce. You might also see new twists on red foods, like watermelon salad or red cabbage coleslaw!

What foods are served on Juneteenth and why is it important?

Often the foods you’ll find at a Juneteenth celebration are symbolic: There’ll be dishes that represent prosperity (collard greens, black-eyed peas), and red foods and drinks (such as hibiscus-tinged punch) that have been served at special occasions throughout the African diaspora.

What color are you supposed to wear on Juneteenth?

A common theme is dressing in red, white, and blue to highlight the “Independence Day for Black folks” vibe of the holiday. It’s also a nod to the Juneteenth flag, which sports bright red and blue stripes and a bold white star overlay to represent the “new star” on the horizon for our community.

Why do we drink strawberry soda on Juneteenth?

Strawberry soda is a common feature of the Juneteenth holiday as a nod to the celebrations of slaves in Galveston, Texas, who on June 19, 1865, learned they were free. Those celebrations, according to the Journal Sentinel story, included red food and beverages “to symbolize the blood that was shed by the slaves.”

How do you acknowledge Juneteenth?

Just say ‘Happy Juneteenth! ‘ The easiest way to wish someone a Happy Juneteenth is by messaging them and wishing them a fulfilled day. Similar to Black History Month, and other important anniversaries to Black Americans, it is important to acknowledge it as an American holiday, even if you do not celebrate it.

Why is it called Juneteenth?

First things first: Juneteenth gets its name from combining “June” and “nineteenth,” the day that Granger arrived in Galveston, bearing a message of freedom for the slaves there.

What are the official colors for Juneteenth?

You’ll see that the Juneteenth flag uses the exact same colors as the United States’s flag: red, white, and blue. This was intentional and meant to show that the formerly enslaved and their descendants are free Americans, too.

What music is played on Juneteenth?

In addition to spiritual songs often sung in Black church congregations, artists like Sam Cooke, Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin, and James Brown created songs about freedom and revolution.

What are colors for Juneteenth?

Why is strawberry soda in Juneteenth?