21 New Yorkers on What Juneteenth Means to Them
Juneteenth, the holiday celebrating the official emancipation of enslaved people in the United States, took on new meaning this year. Since the death of George Floyd, a Black man killed by a white former Minneapolis police officer, a sea change is taking place—tens of thousands have attended rallies and peaceful protests demanding defunding the police and showing their support for the Black Lives Matter movement. Social media has shifted from being a place to post your vacation and food photos to a resource for vital information, resources, and places to donate in support the movement. Even brands that never would have dared state a hard position on racism before this May have expressed solidarity, from opening their purses and giving monetary support to posting platitudes on Instagram. Against this cultural backdrop, New York City residents celebrated June 19th with a special kind of reverence on Friday. It’s estimated that over 100 Black-led events were organized across the five boroughs, including a march of over 6,000 people across the Brooklyn bridge to Manhattan, where 8,000 more had shut down a number of the city’s streets. The photographer Serichai Traipoom attended three of those happenings: Juneteenth Jam, a protest and celebration in Bushwick organized by artist and candidate for U.S. Congress Paperboy Prince; A Celebration of Black Joy, a rally in Prospect Park, Brooklyn; and a march held at Grand Army Plaza organized by People Over Power. Traipoom spoke to the New Yorkers on the ground, who discussed what Juneteenth means to them, and the way they’re celebrating now. “Juneteenth, to me, is not just about recognizing Black history. It’s about American history and sometimes looking at the ugly truth. That’s a part of recognizing and then moving forward in a positive direction, which I think is starting to happen now,” Nana-Adwoa, who attended Juneteenth Jam, told W. “We need to look at the past of slavery and see how it’s now manifested. We need to look at our laws and understand that we need to make a change and that we have a long way to go. That’s really what Juneteenth is about.”
1
“Juneteenth, to me, is a reminder. I don’t think much has changed. There really wasn’t a lot of freedom given. There’s a lot more that needs to be done.”
– Inshallah, a New Yorker at the intersection of Myrtle and Broadway in Brooklyn organized by Paperboy Prince, an artist and candidate for U.S. Congress NY-7. Photographed by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
2
“Juneteenth, to me, is not just about recognizing Black history. It’s about American history and sometimes looking at the ugly truth. That’s a part of recognizing and then moving forward in a positive direction, which I think is starting to happen now. I know for many people this is the first time they’ve heard of Juneteenth and its historical significance. We need to look at the past of slavery and see how it’s now manifested—how institutional racism is a platform for the prison industrial complex, and the military industrial complex. As Michelle Alexander wrote in her book The New Jim Crow, these are the new ways of slavery. We need to look at our laws, at the constitution, at the 13th Amendment, and understand that we need to make a change and that we have a long way to go. That’s really what Juneteenth is about.”
– Nana-Adwoa, a New Yorker at Juneteenth Jam, a protest and celebration at the intersection of Myrtle and Broadway in Brooklyn organized by Paperboy Prince, an artist and candidate for U.S. Congress NY-7. Photographed by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
3
“Juneteenth, to me, is a celebration of our history, while also recognizing that we have a rich history as a people. We have a history that is built through a resilience and a struggle and still we rise in the midst of that. It’s about reclaiming the narrative about our lives and stories and that our children can see the other side of history which is the joy which always cometh in the morning, and in the midst of struggle. We are happy to be out here and celebrating black history and black culture, and doing it in a sustainable way.” – Chelsea (left).
“I’ve been saying this for the longest time. We were not free on July 4th, so why do we celebrate July 4th? I asked my parents this question when I was in elementary and middle school. What does July 4th mean to us? Juneteenth is our day of freedom and celebration. My family comes from Mississippi and Arkansas, my grandfather was born in the first free town of Mound Bayou Mississippi.” – Niahlah (right). Both New Yorkers at Juneteenth: A Celebration of Black Joy, a rally in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, organized by the creators of Afrochella and Freedom March NYC. Photographed by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
4
A scene from Juneteenth Jam, a protest and celebration at the intersection of Myrtle and Broadway in Brooklyn organized by Paperboy Prince, an artist and candidate for U.S. Congress NY-7. Photographed by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
5
“It’s sad that when we learn about black history it’s something that we learn about late, we don’t always learn about it young. This is my first Juneteenth. Last year I did some research on it, but this is the first year I attended a celebration.”
– Iesha, a New Yorker at Juneteenth Jam, a protest and celebration at the intersection of Myrtle and Broadway in Brooklyn organized by Paperboy Prince, an artist and candidate for U.S. Congress NY-7. Photographed by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
6
“For me, as the child of African immigrants to the United States who also comes from Houston, Juneteenth is a way to connect with those who I see as members of my family that were taken from us, and also as a way to celebrate blackness, African identity, and unity within the African Diaspora. This is technically my first Juneteenth, even though I’m from Houston, but I know Houston does a parade every year in Emancipation Park. I want to shout out my hometown, but also take a stand for justice during a time that’s so racially charged.”
– Edna, a New Yorker at Juneteenth Jam, a protest and celebration at the intersection of Myrtle and Broadway in Brooklyn organized by Paperboy Prince, an artist and candidate for U.S. Congress NY-7. Photographed by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
7
“Juneteenth means everyone coming together. This was meant to happen way back before, but it’s everyone coming together right now and lots of freedom.”
– Jahrell, a New Yorker at Juneteenth Jam, a protest and celebration at the intersection of Myrtle and Broadway in Brooklyn organized by Paperboy Prince, an artist and candidate for U.S. Congress NY-7. Photographed by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
8
“Juneteenth is a symbol of joy and pride for me and my people. Today I get to feel beautiful and free, and I’m so excited that there are so many activities for my people today. I usually do a barbecue at home or hang out with my friends. Tonight I’m actually going to a poetry reading and we’re going to do some Black poetry and some historical poetry.”
– Olivia, a New Yorker at Juneteenth: A Celebration of Black Joy, a rally in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, organized by the creators of Afrochella and Freedom March NYC. Photographed by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
9
“Juneteenth is a celebration of the day that we were all free—not just when emancipation happened, but when Texas was finally included in this. It’s a day of celebration and jubilee, because if all of us aren’t free than there’s nothing to celebrate. This was the first year I was mindful of doing something with my children, so I taught them what Juneteenth actually was because I realized I didn’t learn about it until I was much older.”
– Felicia, a New Yorker at Juneteenth: A Celebration of Black Joy, a rally in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, organized by the creators of Afrochella and Freedom March NYC. Photographed by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
10
“Juneteenth is a better day than July 4th for us to celebrate our freedom and independence. It’s a way for us to regenerate and reignite our energy when we’re always having to deal with systemic racism. My family and I always celebrated Juneteenth, and we’re always together discussing ways to improve our situation in the United States.”
– Inayah, a New Yorker at Juneteenth: A Celebration of Black Joy, a rally in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, organized by the creators of Afrochella and Freedom March NYC. Photographed by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
11
Paperboy Prince at Juneteenth Jam, a protest and celebration at the intersection of Myrtle and Broadway in Brooklyn organized by Paperboy Prince, an artist and candidate for U.S. Congress NY-7. Photographed by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
12
A scene from Juneteenth Jam, a protest and celebration at the intersection of Myrtle and Broadway in Brooklyn organized by Paperboy Prince, an artist and candidate for U.S. Congress NY-7. Photographed by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
13
“Juneteenth for me, in 2020, speaks volumes to what’s going on in the world right now. Right now America, in general, is going through a civil revolution. In today’s climate, for them to introduce a holiday that sets a tone for acknowledging the country’s history of injustice. For me, as a Black man, I think it marks a major stepping stone.”
– Jah, a New Yorker at Juneteenth Jam, a protest and celebration at the intersection of Myrtle and Broadway in Brooklyn organized by Paperboy Prince, an artist and candidate for U.S. Congress NY-7. Photographed by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
14
“Juneteenth represents the day that all African Americans were freed from bondage and enslavement from our oppressors. The day, historically, is about black people enslaved in Texas. In 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, but it wasn’t until 1865 that the people in Texas got the memo, so they were working for two and a half years while everyone else was so called ‘free’. In my opinion we’re not free until we’re all free. I’m Black every day, 24/7, for as long as I’m on this Earth. I honor my ancestors each day through my work as a choreographer and dancer, but I also get together with my family for barbecues and celebration.”
– Iris, a New Yorker at Juneteenth Jam, a protest and celebration at the intersection of Myrtle and Broadway in Brooklyn organized by Paperboy Prince, an artist and candidate for U.S. Congress NY-7. Photographed by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
15
“Black joy, a day to celebrate unapologetic, uninterrupted, undisrupted Black joy.”
– Quanda, a New Yorker at Juneteenth: A Celebration of Black Joy, a rally in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, organized by the creators of Afrochella and Freedom March NYC. Photographed by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
16
“For me, it’s a day for relaxation and celebration and taking in the moment. Most days we get stressed out, whether you’re Black or white, no matter you race. I personally believe that Juneteenth should absolutely be a federal holiday—a day to celebrate what Black people have done for this country and utilize the day to spend a dollar on Black businesses.”
– Winston, a New Yorker at Juneteenth: A Celebration of Black Joy, a rally in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, organized by the creators of Afrochella and Freedom March NYC. Photographed by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
17
“Juneteenth, to me, means an awareness of your freedom. There were people in Texas who were free, but they didn’t even know it. Juneteenth is a celebration of that knowledge and freedom. This is my first Juneteenth celebration and I plan to make it an annual thing.”
– Christina, a New Yorker at Juneteenth Million People, a celebration and march at Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn organized by People Over Power. Photographed by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
18
“Normally, I just read a little bit about it. I don’t usually do anything huge. But with the media right now, and reading about what’s going on with all of these different Black people getting killed for no reason, I took the time to teach my son about Juneteenth this year. It’s important to understand this legacy.”
– Sabreen, a New Yorker at Juneteenth Million People, a celebration and march at Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn organized by People Over Power. Photographed by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
19
“Juneteenth, to me, means the actual liberation of my Black people. I think one of the things people always misconstrue is that July 4th equated freedom for all. It was only white men that were free. The problem we have today is that not all of America is properly informed on American history. People think people like Christopher Columbus were heroes, but he wasn’t. He raped and killed people to create this country. Typically, on Juneteenth, I hang out with my friends and only purchase products from Black-owned businesses.”
– Kamal, a New Yorker at Juneteenth Million People, a celebration and march at Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn organized by People Over Power. Photographed by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
20
A scene from Juneteenth Million People, a celebration and march at Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn organized by People Over Power. Photographed by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
21
“Juneteenth symbolizes the last chain that was wrapped around our ancestors being lifted. They had the idea of what freedom could taste like. Normally we do barbecues and read and catch up on history.”
– Kayla, a New Yorker at Juneteenth Million People, a celebration and march at Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn organized by People Over Power. Photographed by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
22
“Juneteenth, to me, means that I am free. I am no longer a slave in the way that my ancestors were. I am a new age slave. It means that my ancestors finally escaped slavery. They got away from their oppressors. We have new oppressors today. Juneteenth, to me, symbolizes remembering my family who went through a million different things: underground railroads, losing their children, doing all those things for me.”
– Sarah, a New Yorker and and People Over Power organizer of Juneteenth Million People, a celebration and march at Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn. Photographed by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
23
“It was the day slaves were actually free from slavery. I’ve been celebrating for a while. I’m not American but I started celebrating when I started working for AmeriCorps in Texas.”
– Salome, a New Yorker at Juneteenth Million People, a celebration and march at Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn organized by People Over Power. Photographed by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
24
“Juneteenth, to me, is a day to memorialize when slaves in the south finally got a taste of what they rightfully deserved all along. Well, this is my first time hearing about Juneteenth—I’m only 15. But I’m really glad I got this experience.”
– Kassidy, a New Yorker at Juneteenth Million People, a celebration and march at Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn organized by People Over Power. Photographed by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
25
“Initially Juneteenth was a foreign concept to me, but now I take a lot of pride in knowing what it is and celebrating it. Both of my parents are immigrants from Nigeria, so it’s not something they are really familiar with, but we’ve learned about it over time.”
– Chika, a New Yorker at Juneteenth Million People, a celebration and march at Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn organized by People Over Power. Photographed by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
26
A scene from Juneteenth Jam, a protest and celebration at the intersection of Myrtle and Broadway in Brooklyn organized by Paperboy Prince, an artist and candidate for U.S. Congress NY-7. Photographed by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
27
A scene from Juneteenth Jam, a protest and celebration at the intersection of Myrtle and Broadway in Brooklyn organized by Paperboy Prince, an artist and candidate for U.S. Congress NY-7. Photographed by Serichai Traipoom for W magazine.
