What is Juneteenth Day is a question more and more people are asking themselves as it has become a federal holiday in the US in 2021. Well, We are going to unpack its history and explain its relevance in the 21st Century. We are also going tie it back to a very special travel review site that cates to black travelers. Let us begin.
What is Juneteenth Day? – History
Juneteenth Day, better known as Juneteenth, is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. It is celebrated annually on June 19, the day that Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Juneteenth has been called America’s second Independence Day.
While slaves in other parts of the country were freed by President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. For African Americans in Texas, and eventually across the nation, Juneteenth became a day to celebrate their freedom and to commemorate African American history and culture.
How to Celebrate
As of June 2021, Juneteenth became an official holiday in the United States. One of the most common ways to celebrate is to have a cookout with neighbors, friends, and family. Traditional Juneteenth foods include red items like strawberry soda and savory meats like barbecued ribs or chicken.
Here are some additional ways that you can celebrate:
- Learn about the history of Juneteenth and the long struggle for freedom. You can do this by reading articles, listening to podcasts, or watching documentaries.
- Share your knowledge with others. After you have learned about the history of Juneteenth, share what you have learned with your family.
- Go to museums or historic sites related to Black American history.
- Take part in one of many virtual events celebrating Juneteenth.
- Attend or participate in a local celebration like fairs, parades, or rodeos.
- Make a donation to or volunteer with organizations that support the Black community.
- Support Black-owned businesses by shopping at them or promoting them on social media.
Support Black Owned Businesses
Juneteenth Day is a time to celebrate the emancipation of slaves in the United States. It is also a time to reflect on the struggles that Black Americans have faced and continue to face. There are many ways to celebrate Juneteenth. But one of the most important things you can do is to support Black-owned businesses. By doing so, you are investing in the Black community and helping to promote economic justice.
As inflation reaches new heights, it becomes increasingly difficult for Black-Owned businesses to keep their doors open. Which is why supporting them is more important than ever. Here are some ways you can do so:
- Shop at Black-owned businesses both online and in your community whenever possible.
- Share information about great Black-owned businesses with your friends and family.
- Write positive reviews for Black-owned businesses you patronize.
- Make an effort to spend your money with businesses that reflect the diversity of the community in which you live.
- Travel with a purpose by planning your next vacation around visiting Black-owned businesses, historic sites, and attractions.
- Celebrate Juneteenth by committing to supporting Black-owned businesses all year long!
- We are a Black Owned Business (Green Book Global). Feel Free to Support Us!
What is Juneteenth Day? – If you are taking trip, use this Black Owned Business
Before we jump into how you can help celebrate Juneteenth Day or Juneteenth. The “right” way, we want to tell you a little more about who we are as a Black-owned business.
The platform was founded by Lawrence Phillips. A Black traveler who dealt with immense stress over how his Blackness would be received by different destinations. He tried to find resources that could help him understand the climate of each location but couldn’t find a consistent source. So he created one.
His platform also provides the ability for black travelers and allies in the black travel community to EARN CASH BACK on their travels with some of the most popular travel brands.
Most platforms that share information about different cities and countries to visit do so from the perspective of a white traveler. Sometimes, when a Black traveler tries to have the same experiences. It can be significantly different.
Realizing that he was not alone, Lawrence created this platform that focused on traveling with a Black perspective. His hope is that this would help Black travelers feel more comfortable about planning their trips. It also helps our allies to learn more about the black travel experience.
OK so what next.
We would love for you support us!!
One of the best ways to celebrate Juneteenth is to support a black owned business. So if you are a black traveler or an ally to the black travel community AND you love to travel then join our “Passport” Membership community. By joining the community. Not only do you get access to over 5000 crowd-sourced travel tips. A 20-page Bali City Guide. The only Destination Travel Filter on the market but you also earn cash for travel.
For every trip you book with our partners you earn up to 3.5% cash back. On top of that, you earn cash for reading AND leaving travel tips on the site. Also, if you think your employer may want to add our travel perk as an employee benefit to you company, please let us know. We can discuss enterprise level “Passport” Memberships.
How it would work is employers would subsidize the cost of the “Passport” memberships for employees similar to how they would do for a gym membership. Then once employees sign up, when they take time off for personal travel. They can begin to earn cash-back just by booking with travel brands they already use (i.e. Expedia, Marriott). Your employer would also be supporting DEI initiatives by working with Green Book Global as well.
Oh and I almost forgot about your FREE Travel Map:
So please keep this in mind. By supporting us you are not only supporting a Black Owned Business. But you are also supporting a company’s who’s mission is to inspire and empower black travelers to confidently explore the world. We would be delighted to have you or your company as part of our Travel Community
What is Juneteenth Day? – The Legacy of the Negro Motorist Green Book
Juneteenth Day or Juneteenth, as explained, is celebrated because this is when the last set of slaves realized they were actually free. But being free was not the end of the struggle. This brought rise to the KKK, lynching, and made it illegal for black people to go into certain restaurants, hotels, and even towns. These dangerous circumstances lead to the creation of “The Negro Motorist Green Book”.
It was a book started by American postal worker and travel writer Victor H. Green. The Green Book was a travel guide that provided safe haven and resources for Black travelers during the Jim Crow era.
This guide included places to stay, restaurants, gas stations, and other businesses that were Black friendly. It also listed “sundown towns” that were dangerous for Black travelers and other places to avoid.
Now in the digital age, Green Book Global is the modern day version of the “Negro Motorist Green Book”. The website that has become a one-stop platform that not only provides destination information with a detailed rating system. (Specifically Traveling While Black scores). But also allows users to book travel services, read user-generated reviews, and read over five thousand travel tips.
Since its launch. Green Book Global has grown tremendously in popularity with many Black travelers commenting that this is just the resource they were looking for.
If you want to travel during Juneteenth, or any time of the year. Make sure to check out Green Book Global! You will be able to easily plan your next adventure.
Conclusion
Whatever way you choose to celebrate Juneteenth or Juneteenth Day this year. Make sure to keep Black-owned businesses in mind. We have to continue to promote economic justice by supporting the businesses that reflect our community and values. What better way to do so than by spending our money with them?
So let’s get out there and explore all the amazing places that Black-owned businesses have to offer. With that in mind, if you are looking for tips on where to travel and what to expect. Green Book Global should be your go-to!