The Art of Freedom: A Juneteenth Celebration

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JOY. RESISTANCE. REST.

THIS ZINE IS DEDICATED TO THOSE WHO MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR US TO KEEP CREATING.

Juneteenth is a celebration of abolition, Black freedom, Black joy, Black history, and Black futures. This zine exists as a vignette of the Black Freedom Struggle.

Juneteenth is the celebration of Freedom.

June 19, 1865 marks the day in which union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas to announce that the hundreds of thousands of people enslaved in the state were now free by executive decree; slavery was now abolished. The term “Juneteenth” became popularized by the newly freed folks in Texas. It has continued as a celebration through generations. It is even now recognized as a federal holiday.

We are intentionally centering this day around Black joy, Black resistance, and Black rest. We will begin the event with a commemorative march for Black lives, a moment of silence, and a rose memorial. We will then move into celebration with live performances, giveaways, art-making, workshops, roller skating, and an interactive kids zone.

Throughout this zine, we will explore the three concepts in this year’s theme: Joy, Resistance, and Rest.

Blackness is often equated with struggle. While we do not want to erase the nuance of pain due to systemic and institutional racism, we want to take Juneteenth as an opportunity to celebrate the wonder, love, joy, and nuance of intergenerational Blackness within our communities.

“Joy is a revolutionary force. We need it as much as we need anger because it is joy that will help keep us in these bodies long enough to enact justice.”
—Evette Dionne, writer

Black people have historically and are presently affected by systemic racism and institutional oppression. During Juneteenth, we want to intentionally honor the contributions of past and present-day abolitionists, freedom fighters, and change-makers.

“It is our duty to fight for our freedom. It is our duty to win. We must love each other and support each other. We have nothing to lose but our chains.”
—Assata Shakur, activist

Black communities rarely get the opportunity to set aside the political nature of existing within a Black body. During Juneteenth, let’s commit ourselves to centering Black futurity, liberation, and most of all rest— in ways that cater to the Black community’s hopes and dreams.

“You were not just born to center your entire existence on work and labor. You were born to heal, to grow, to be of service to yourself and community, to practice, to experiment, to create, to have space, to dream, and to connect.”
—Tricia Hersey, activist and writer

REMEMBERING MINNEAPOLIS/SAINT PAUL COMMUNITY ANCESTORS

Harry Belafonte

Terry Bellamy

Earl Bowman

Bill Brown

Laura Brown

Bill Cottman

Beverly Cottman

Teretha Dillard

Archie Givens

Ronnie Gross

Sonny Gross

Claybon Hall

Ernest Hutchinson

Valerie Hutchinson

Valdeck Jackson

Diona Johnson

Tony Jones

Alonzo Lucas

Charles Lynn

Ron Miller

Richard Robinson

Emanuel Rogers

Karen Rogers

Lorraine Smaller

Kevin Smith

Donald Sudduth

Gary Sudduth

Henry Sullivan

Never Forgotten, Forever Missed.

REMEMBERING BLACK MINNESOTANS MURDERED BY POLICE

Alfred Sanders

David White

Demitreus Sesler

Abdullah Simmons-Muhammad

Charles Craighead

Abu Jeilani

Martha Donald

Lamont Scott

Christopher Burns

Walter Dochniak

Roderick Harvey Jr.

Eric Netters

Anthony Williams

Walter Collins

Johnie Rodgers

Lorenzo Doby

James Cobb Jr.

Courtney Williams

Dominic Felder

Wilfred Hines

Tommie Baker

Quincy Smith

Ahmed Guled

Devon Dockery

Romell Hill

Jason Jones

David Smith

Billie Lobahanow

Wayne Malone

Carl Tatum

DelShawn Crawford

Dontaylo Wright

Mark Henderson

Victor Gaddy Sr.

Melvin Fletcher Jr.

Alden Anderson

Terrance Franklin

Edmond Fair

Charles Logan Sr.

Marcus Golden

Sam Holmes

Jamar Clark

Jaffort Smith

Philando Castile

Cordale Handy

Thurman Blevins Jr

Isak Aden

Mario Benjamin

Kobe Dimock-Heisler

Ronald Davis

Noah Erickson

Nekeya Moody

George Floyd

Dolal Idd

Daunte Wright

Winston Smith Jr.

Kokou Fiafonou

Amir Locke

Andrew Teckle Sundberg

Howard Johnson

Hargarten, Jeff, Jennifer Bjorhus, MaryJo Webster, Kelly Smith, Liz Sawyer, Susan Hilliard, John Wareham, and Tom Nehil. “Every Police-Involved Death in Minnesota since 2000.” The Star Tribune, January 12, 2023. https://www.startribune.com/every-police-involved-death-in-minnesota-since-2000/502088871/?refresh=true.

50-MINUTE WORKSHOPS

WORKSHOPS CENTERED IN JOY, RESISTANCE, & REST

2:00PM DESIGN FOR JOY BY MELANIE

UROC ROOM 105

Design that decenters harmful, oppressive systems of power requires joy. At Pollen, a media arts nonprofit that harnesses the power of narrative change to build towards a society that is free, just, and loving, designing for joy helps us all imagine a better future.

HEALING FOR HIP HOP LOVERS BY NAKARA WHITE OF SWAGG LLC

UROC ROOM 107

A writing workshop using journal prompts from the book “7 Day Grief Journal for Hip Hop Lovers”. These exercises will cultivate new perspectives, wellness and community through candid dialogue, hip hop music and journaling.

CREATING EQUITABLE REPAIR WITH AN OPEN REPARATIONS DESIGN FRAMEWORK BY IMAGINE DELIVER

UROC ROOM 125

Learn how to use an open reparations design framework to create practical solutions for repairing and restoring harm to the Black community. This community-led, transparent, and holistic model evaluates and addresses the range of harms the community has experienced, including discriminatory practices. Discover how to drive meaningful change and establish a more just and equitable future.

3:00PM

SELF-CARE AS RESISTANCE BY VANESSA ANYANSO

UROC ROOM 107

During this workshop, attendees will learn about the impact of racism on mental health and ways we can fortify ourselves. We will think about self-care as both an individual and collective practice that is an act of resistance. Attendees will be encouraged to create self-care plans for themselves.

BLUR THE LINES BETWEEN LITERARY AND VISUAL ARTS WITH DADAIST INSPIRED POEMS BY RAJINE THE QUEEN

UROC ROOM 125

Originally created early in the 20th century on the battlefields of WW1 contesting the carnage of war and the elites. You will be able to create your own poem by selecting words, phrases, and images that relate to the excellence and resilience of Black people in America.

IMAGINING AND BUILDING BLACK WEALTH, OPEN ROAD FUND BY BLACK TRUST FUND

UROC ROOM 105

To fund descendants of the Atlantic Slave Trade empowers us to rest. In this workshop, we will invite folks to apply to the Open Road Fund–a community resource of $50 million to be distributed to Black communities across Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota–and, together, imagine what’s possible.

5:00PM

CULTIVATING JOY THROUGH CANNABIS BY CLEMON DABNEY ALSO KNOWN AS DOC DABS

UROC ROOM 107

This workshop will cover the basics of cloning, including the equipment needed, techniques for successful cloning, and the benefits of cloning vs. growing from seed. Participants will have hands-on experience cloning their own cannabis plant.

EMANCIPATE YOUR MENTAL STATE BY CHANCE YORK OF THE EARL E. BAKKEN CENTER FOR SPIRITUALITY & HEALING, MINDFULNESS

UROC ROOM 105

Colonization can be seen in our landscapes, in societal structures and in our communities, but the pervasive, and sometimes hardest to notice, effects of colonization take place in the routine thoughts, narratives, and cycles of our mind. This workshop will involve thoughtful conversation, breath work, insight meditation, and helpful approaches to prioritizing self-care.

POSTER SHOWCASE

AVAILABLE 12:00-6:00PM IN THE UROC LOBBY

Conceptualizing the Effects of Educational Marginalization on Black Students’ Intellectual Engagement by Joseph Burey

Policing My Playground: How School Resource Officers Affect the Learning Environment of Black Students by Madyson Sklar

Breaking Barriers to Breast Cancer Screening for Women of African Heritage by McKenna Haas, D. Haynes, K. Hughes, G. Richards, & B. Robinson

Racism in U.S. Literature by Miska Abdel-Magid

The Role of Black Joy in Coping with Anti-Black Racism: Perspectives of African American Women Elders by Priscilla Gibson PhD & Jessica Coleman MSW

Toward Built Environments Where Everyone Can Thrive: Black Mothers and Rest in the Home by Tasoulla Hadjiyanni

STAGE SET

AVAILABLE 12:00-6:00PM ON CENTER STAGE

Speakers, performers, muscians, and more will happen throughout the day. For a schedule of the day’s events, visit juneteenth.umn.edu

FREE VENDORS

FREE FOOD & FREE ACTIVITY BREAKDOWN

ALL ACTIVITIES (FREE OR FOR SALE) ARE ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS

FREE FULL MEAL VENDORS

MUST OBTAIN FOOD TICKET TO ENGAGE

ONE TICKET PER GUEST IN THIS CATEGORY

Jambo Africa

Nashville COOP

Run Tell That BBQ

Stuff'd Food Truck

FREE SNACK VENDORS

MUST OBTAIN FOOD TICKET TO ENGAGE

ONE TICKET PER GUEST, PER SNACK VENUE LISTED BELOW

Quiet Cat Bakery

MN Nice Cream

FREE DRINKS

NO FOOD TICKET NECESSARY

ONE CANNED DRINK PER GUEST, WATER SUPPLY UNLIMITED

Water Buggy (use water bottle in swag bags or compostable cups)

Other Canned Drinks (first come, first served)

FREE ACTIVITY TABLES

THESE ACTIVITIES ARE FREE TO THE COMMUNITY

UMN Office for Student Affairs & the Black Faculty & Staff Association

UMN Extension African American Affinity Group

UMN Black Student Union

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Program

Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc-Gamma Tau Chapter

Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing

Public Functionary

UMN Masonic Cancer Center

UMN School of Dentistry

Child Development Laboratory School

Integrative Health & Wellbeing Research Program

Bell Museum

College of Continuing and Professional Studies

Breast Cancer Champions

UMN School of Nursing

UMN Pediatrics Department

Compassionate Action for Animals

FREE KID’S ZONE

ADULT ACCOMPANIMENT REQUIRED

Petting Zoo

Face Painting

Bouncy House

Community Barbers (All ages welcome, Children are priority)

OTHER FREE ACTIVITIES

ADULT ACCOMPANIMENT REQUIRED

Screen Printing with UnderRepresented

Chalk Art at the Parking Lot Mural

Experience with Roller Skating (bring your own or free rentals from Twin City Skaters)

MERCHANDISE VENDORS SUPPORT BLACK-OWNED

BUSINESSES

ALL MERCHADISE VENDORS LISTED BELOW HAVE PRODUCT FOR SALE

Afterthought Expressions

Aonehc Aonehc

Blackbird Revolt

Black Garnet Books

Carter Creations

Coco's Custom Creations

Crowned 4C LLC

DanSan Creatives

Horton & Associates LLC/American Family

Jspeaks

Kiara L. Davis Bling Studio

Londi the Bead Lady

Loveless Blvd

Nai's Delights

Noisemakers

Oculesics

Pachulas

Silent Fox.studio

SNB BEAUTY LLC

Sunday Morning Self Care

The Crochet Gay

The Reign Love Collections

Thomasina's Cashew Brittle

TwIIns for Me LLC

Yin Botanicals

A BLACKBIRD REVOLT ZINE

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