By WB Intern Megan Aune
Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. Seeing as the holiday originated in Texas back in 1865, we thought it might be appropriate to recommend a short list of reads centering African American history and perspectives this June 19th. Here are a few of our top picks!
Envisioning Emancipation: Black Americans and the End of Slavery by Deborah Willis and Barbara Krauthamer
Envisioning Emancipation examines the years after the Emancipation Proclamation through the lens of 150 photographs. The novel explores what freedom looked like for Black Americans in the Civil War era, as well as how Americans of all races reacted to the end of slavery. Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people in the U.S. Seeing as the holiday originated in our very own state of Texas back in 1865, we thought it might be appropriate to recommend some books centered around Black history and narratives this June 19. Here are some of our top pics!
Shoutin’ in the Fire: An American Epistle by Danté Stewart
This memoir gives a thoughtful account of being Black and needing to engage with an anti-Black world. Shoutin’ in the Fire takes on the tough-to-swallow ideas of white supremacy’s legacy–that it’s as internalized in our selves as well as in our country. Stewart explores his own relationships with faith, rage, and most of all, love.
The Weary Blues by Langston Hughes
For lovers of the famous poet, this is a relic of his first collection published in 1926. The Weary Blues emerged at a time when African American voices were only beginning to be heard through American literature, and Hughes gives a deep, personal, and moving account of his experiences as an African American in the early twentieth century.
They Built Me for Freedom: The Story of Juneteenth and Houston’s Emancipation Park by Tonya Duncan Ellis, illustrated by Jenin Mohammed
Told through the perspective of the park itself, They Built Me for Freedom brings to life the 150-year history of Emancipation Park in Houston, from its dedication in June of 1865 to the present day. This triumphant story about the site of the first Juneteenth celebration is perfect for kids learning about Juneteenth or exploring Texan history.
A Black Women’s History of the United States by Daina Ramey Berry and Kali Nicole Gross
This historical novel shows how Black women have and continue to mold the U.S. It joins a sea of voices, sharing the perspectives of Black women who were free, enslaved, queer, outlaws, artists, and more. Get your copy here.
James by Percival Everett
Recently listed as Amazon’s #1 best book of the year so far, James is a reimagining of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from the enslaved Jim’s point of view. While many of the events of the original novel stay in place, Jim’s perspective adds a new layer of complexity and a thoughtful tone to the beloved story. It’s a heart-wrenching, immersive, and un-put-downable read, and should definitely be on your reading list.
On Juneteenth by Annette Gordon-Reed
On Juneteenth starts with the holiday’s origins in Texas and follows the journey of Black Americans towards the freedom they were promised. A native Texan, Gordon-Reed focuses on bringing to light a new, more nuanced narrative than the typical cowboys-and-oil-drills story of her home state, one combined from historical facts and personal anecdotes. This novel serves as a reminder that the fight for equality is not over, and our Lone Star State still has a large role to play.
About the Author
Megan Aune is a recent University of Texas graduate with a BA in English and a certificate in Creative Writing. She currently works as a writing consultant at UT’s Writing Center. She loves working with stories and the writers who create them, and is looking forward to taking that passion into the publishing industry. In her spare time, Megan can be found reading (a lot), biking, baking, and exploring Austin’s coffee shops.