CH: I’m loving that you just had been with somebody from Texas who was in Minnesota. I used to be with somebody from Texas who was in DC. Actually, it was these individuals from Texas who exported the concept of celebrating this vacation. After I take into consideration how meals strikes, how tradition strikes, it goes out like tentacles all around the nation. However it took somebody from Texas.
JR: It’s fascinating to consider individuals exporting or importing their tradition. After I journey, I discover that nearly each nation—particularly within the Caribbean and elements of South America—all have an Emancipation Day. There’s a parade. Individuals gown up. These locations which have a historical past of enslavement rejoice Emancipation. We are able to be taught from these cultures.
CH: My pal Greta, who’s from Houston, would at all times return for Juneteenth as a result of the celebrations had been large. It was about household and bringing individuals collectively—like a statewide household reunion.
JR: I really like that.
CH: When [Emancipation] occurred, [Black] individuals weren’t celebrating but. They had been searching for their relations. [Juneteenth] is about bringing individuals again, about individuals coming collectively.
JR: Let’s dig into the meals a bit of bit. One of many issues that I had been considering as a pacesetter in meals media is, How can we develop the reverence for the vacation? What cultural markers can we incorporate?
CH: Meals is a beginning place. So why watermelon, proper? This was one of many first instances you had Black commerce: previously enslaved individuals rising watermelons to make their very own cash. That could be a purpose to rejoice. You had individuals understanding their independence and their liberation. Then, you [had] one other group like, Oh my gosh, Black individuals can’t eat watermelon. Individuals nonetheless maintain that [belief]. They maintain that earlier than they maintain the reality of why watermelon was vital. I feel it’s reclaiming the reality.
JR: Completely. The reality of that was monetary liberation. As we take into consideration Juneteenth and why we eat sure meals, it’s vital to additionally incorporate historical past onto the plates. That leads me to a giant query: Who will get to go to Juneteenth? Now, I throw a reasonably large Juneteenth occasion.
CH: You’re keen on a celebration, and I like to go to your events.
JR: I invite all people I do know, associates from all types of backgrounds. A few my associates who are usually not Black had been so completely satisfied to be invited as a result of they weren’t certain in the event that they had been allowed to rejoice. One 12 months, after the vacation, somebody requested me, “How was your Juneteenth?” I used to be like, “It was nice. How was yours?” She checked out me with a clean face. It didn’t happen to her that she must be celebrating. She thought Juneteenth was the Black July Fourth. How do you suppose non-Black individuals ought to commemorate Juneteenth?
CH: I feel that if any group just isn’t free, nobody is free. I’ve been to a seder, and I’m not Jewish. I feel individuals [can be] inquisitive about a vacation. The truth that Juneteenth is a nationwide vacation opens the door for everybody to grasp why it is crucial. It’s additionally vital for us to grasp, as a rustic, why and the way this occurred. So, are you going to be invited to a cookout at certainly one of your Black associates’ houses? [Laughter.] Have you learnt Black individuals? I feel you can begin there.
