Juneteenth by Tara Michener

Imagine a life of being enslaved, brutalized, pained and oppressed. 

Did you take a moment to do that? If you did not...I ask you to take a moment-really-right now. 

What images did you see? What did you feel? How would you describe this to someone who could not understand? 

Now, I want you to imagine finding out that you are considered free...you are informed that actually you were free two years ago but "technical difficulties" prevented you from learning this. 

What you might learn as you imagine this is that the pain of the last two years did not have to happen but it did. You know that it is June 19th because the person who read the words to you that proclaimed freedom also proclaimed the date of your independence. You now get to imagine what freedom looks like. You get to imagine it...upon hearing that it is yours.  

Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom of Black Americans that were the last to be notified in Galveston, Texas that they no longer were enslaved. 

What books would you read to tell the story of this milestone and historical event? 

Let me ask you this...what book would you write? As you imagined yourself in that situation what imagery do you feel like would stand out in a children's book? What would those pages do to inspire triumph? 

It is very vital to tell history as history happened. Children can be educated by books, yet it is important that they are not misled about true history. Juneteenth is not new in any way, yet there are not a plethora of books about it. 

I am hoping that with the addition of the federal holiday there are more opportunities for kids to be engaged by kid lit that reflects many compelling stories both fiction and non-fiction. These stories need to be shared...if you cannot be the one that writes them, be the one who finds the books about this important day and donate them. The people of Galveston had their future withheld for an additional two years. Let's make sure that the stories of their history are no longer delayed. 

Tara Michener is the author of six children's books that focus on self-esteem, diversity and anti-bullying. She is a TEDx speaker, therapist and owns her own private practice in Novi, MI. Tara has been recognized in publications such as Prevention Magazine, Essence Magazine, FREEP and more! She is the Committee Chair of E&I at SCBWI-MI. Her favorite days usually include spending time with her hubistrator, Jason, her son Cannon and her favorite snack Twizzlers and Diet Coke. You can follow her on Twitter @Taramichener.