Thread by @rachelshelden

It's #JUNETEENTH2020 and Black scholars, writers, and activists are providing so much wonderful context for this important holiday. Here is a thread of the articles, threads, and podcasts out today (plus a few terrific older ones worth revisiting) 1/

No better place to start than this deeply personal reflection on celebrating #Juneteenth by @agordonreed: newyorker.com/culture/person…

An incredibly moving essay by @marthasjones_ on how "naming is one essence of freedom" as part of the @nytimes section on #JUNETEENTH2020: nytimes.com/2020/06/18/sty… 3/

Also in the @nytimes, @jbouie argues for the importance of #Juneteenth as, "an occasion to reflect on the profound contributions of enslaved black Americans to the cause of human freedom" (& drawing on the work of @ProfMSinha & @marthasjones_ & others) nytimes.com/2020/06/18/opi…

.@jbouie's classic piece on #Juneteenth from 2014 in @Slate is also one of my favorite arguments for why it should be a national holiday: slate.com/news-and-polit… /5

The @USNatArchives has found what they believe to be the original #Juneteenth order (worth going to the original source!) and the @washingtonpost covers it here: washingtonpost.com/history/2020/0… /6

@USNatArchives @washingtonpost This interview with @PenielJoseph is a wonderful explanation of how celebrating #Juneteenth as a national holiday gives us a "springboard" to have a conversation about racism, past and present: kut.org/post/juneteent… 7/

.@DainaRameyBerry helps us sort through what #Juneteenth means for freedom today in today's episode of The Daily with @mikiebarb: nytimes.com/2020/06/19/pod… 8/

A quick (7-min) and useful explanation of #Juneteenth to send to friends and family on @NPR featuring @DainaRameyBerry & Hannibal B. Johnson: npr.org/2020/06/19/880… 9/

This short thread by @nhannahjones on how enslaved people emancipated themselves is an important reminder of the Civil War context in which #Juneteenth became possible: 10/

This thread on #Juneteenth from @Dr_ChadWilliams on the "conflicting definitions of freedom" within General Order No. 3 is also a great way to understand how primary documents from the past provide their own complications: 11/

This piece by @jelani9 reminds us that, #Juneteenth "exists as a counterpoint to the Fourth of July; the latter heralds the arrival of American ideals, the former stresses just how hard it has been to live up to them": newyorker.com/magazine/2020/… 12/

In @Essence @TeraWHunter beautifully shows how #Juneteenth was "the sign of a new beginning" much like our current moment: essence.com/feature/junete… 13/

In @TheAtlantic @kcarterjackson reminds us not to get caught up in corporate celebrations of #Juneteenth. The real meaning of the holiday is in the Black celebrations that have lasted for generations: theatlantic.com/culture/archiv… 14/

Finally, @NMAAHC has some terrific resources on the history of slavery and emancipation that are worth checking out/sharing with folks who know little about this important day: nmaahc.si.edu/blog-post/cele… 15/15

(Thanks for reading and do add anything useful I've missed! 16/15)

Adding a great thread on how emancipation day was celebrated in Indian Territory by @carriefudickar

And this wonderful piece on how #Juneteenth was and is celebrated in Mexico (h/t @analuciaraujo_ ): about.proquest.com/blog/eosblog/2…

Another great piece I missed: @BriannaNHolt's powerful personal reflections on #Juneteenth: nytimes.com/2020/06/17/opi…

One more terrific piece on the history and legacy of #Juneteenth by @bronaldbyrd in @GQMagazine: gq.com/story/the-livi…

.@DrIbram implores us to remember on #Juneteenth that enslaved people demanded a broader definition of freedom that included economic security and the end of racism in this short thread:

Always read @robgreeneII for clear and nuanced history and it’s relevance today. No exception with this terrific piece on #Juneteenth in @curaffairs: currentaffairs.org/2020/06/why-ju…