Juneteenth for Mazie

by Floyd Cooper

“Grandpa Mose and the others had found freedom. They continued to work, but this time they were paid for their hard work.”

In this book Mazie’s dad shares part of their family history; in particular the importance of celebrating JuneteenthA holiday celebrated every June 19th to remember and honor the day in 1865 when word reached Galveston, TX that enslavement was illegal and African Americans could no longer be made the property of others. More as part of honoring their ancestor Mose, an enslavedThe correct way to talk about slavery. It shows that slavery was something forced upon people. (No one ever chose to be enslaved. In fact, they were never given a choice.) It also reminds us to think about who all of these people were in their lives with family and friends. More African American. We learn about Mose’s journey from enslavement to freedom, including the challenges that he and other Black citizens continued to face.

Story Read Aloud

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Talk About It

• Before starting this story, ask your child if they’ve ever heard of slaverySee enslaved. More. Spend some time talking to them about this time period. In doing so, it’s important to focus on the fact that people of all ages were forcefully removed from their native lands and sold to White men in the Americas & Europe. The enslavedThe correct way to talk about slavery. It shows that slavery was something forced upon people. (No one ever chose to be enslaved. In fact, they were never given a choice.) It also reminds us to think about who all of these people were in their lives with family and friends. More were viewed as property and forced to work endlessly and often treated harshly. It was the stolen labor, knowledge, and skills that helped build this country and secure its independence from England. While the enslavedThe correct way to talk about slavery. It shows that slavery was something forced upon people. (No one ever chose to be enslaved. In fact, they were never given a choice.) It also reminds us to think about who all of these people were in their lives with family and friends. More eventually gained freedom, it did not mean that they were then treated fairly or that their fight for equality was over. (For more information visit the resource section of this blog.)
• After explaining enslavement to your child in more detail, be sure to leave room for any questions or feelings that may arise. Acknowledge the pain that Black people continue to experience over this history and the lack of reparationsThe process of making things right for something wrong you have done.  This often looks like paying money or finding other ways to help those you have hurt. This term is often talked about in thinking of how to make things right for ancestors of those who were enslaved. More made by the United States.
• Introduce JuneteenthA holiday celebrated every June 19th to remember and honor the day in 1865 when word reached Galveston, TX that enslavement was illegal and African Americans could no longer be made the property of others. More and begin the book.
• In the beginning of the story we learn about Mose and how he was forced to work for long hours; no matter how tired he and the others enslavedThe correct way to talk about slavery. It shows that slavery was something forced upon people. (No one ever chose to be enslaved. In fact, they were never given a choice.) It also reminds us to think about who all of these people were in their lives with family and friends. More felt. What do you think that was like? Can you imagine if you had a stomach ache or woke up tired and I told you I didn’t care and to get to work? How would that make you feel?
• What does it mean when the author says that they would think about freedom while doing work? If needed, explain again that the enslavedThe correct way to talk about slavery. It shows that slavery was something forced upon people. (No one ever chose to be enslaved. In fact, they were never given a choice.) It also reminds us to think about who all of these people were in their lives with family and friends. More were viewed as property and were not able to simply do what they wanted. If they didn’t follow orders then they would be punished. Should any human being be the property of someone else?
• Talk about how many enslavedThe correct way to talk about slavery. It shows that slavery was something forced upon people. (No one ever chose to be enslaved. In fact, they were never given a choice.) It also reminds us to think about who all of these people were in their lives with family and friends. More men and women worked in secret to fight for their freedom; including running away. This should lead to a natural discussion about the Civil War and the divide within the United States in which many citizens fought against ending enslavement because of how it made their lives easier. Do you think it is okay to put making more money over treating all human beings with respect and compassion?
• What do you think Mose was thinking and feeling when he hears the declaration of freedom for the enslavedThe correct way to talk about slavery. It shows that slavery was something forced upon people. (No one ever chose to be enslaved. In fact, they were never given a choice.) It also reminds us to think about who all of these people were in their lives with family and friends. More?
• The book points out that Mose, and others, were finally paid for their work. Imagine if mommy (or daddy) went off to work every day but never got paid. Think about how much harder life would be and all the basic comforts and extras that we wouldn’t have. Do you think it’s fair to force someone to work for you? Do you think it’s fair to not pay someone for the work they do?
• The book talks about that Black people never gave up. What do you think the author meant? Explain to your child how throughout this country’s history, including today, Black people have often not been given the same opportunities to education, earning wealth, etc as White people. Instead they have been thought of as less than and excluded, bullied, and more quickly sent to jail than White people. What does your child think about this fact?
• In reading about the marches and lobbying, talk to your child about the unfair burden that has been placed on Black Americans to continually find the strength and determination to fight for rights and respect that they should naturally be given. Spend time discussing that instead of having to fight for these changes, White people (since we are the majority and have historically held positions of power) should be taking actions to change things in our schools and communities so that Black people truly are treated equally and no longer have to regularly face discriminationWhen someone is treated unfairly or differently because they belong to a particular group. For example race, age, gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity. More and racismThe belief that a person's personality, behavior, & values is based solely upon their race. It is also the belief that one group of people are better than another. More. Talk about the importance of voting for politicians who share this belief, but who also better reflect the diversityThis word simply means differences.  It generally refers to differences in things like race, gender, religion, language, culture, or appearance. More we have in our country.
• After learning about JuneteenthA holiday celebrated every June 19th to remember and honor the day in 1865 when word reached Galveston, TX that enslavement was illegal and African Americans could no longer be made the property of others. More, Mazie joins in the celebrating and remembering. Why do you think honoring this day is so important? Talk about how not only is this holiday meant for remembering those who fought for freedom and eventually won; it’s also a celebration of the beauty and strength that exists within Black cultureThe traditions, customs, arts, and achievements of a particular nation or group of people. More.

Explore More

• Spend some time as a family learning more about JuneteenthA holiday celebrated every June 19th to remember and honor the day in 1865 when word reached Galveston, TX that enslavement was illegal and African Americans could no longer be made the property of others. More. (I’ve included some videos and articles under the resource section of this blog.)
• Think as a family about your beliefs and values for how all human beings should be treated. Make a list of these and place it up in your house as a reminder.
• Think about how you can honor JuneteenthA holiday celebrated every June 19th to remember and honor the day in 1865 when word reached Galveston, TX that enslavement was illegal and African Americans could no longer be made the property of others. More. Some ideas include dedicating part of the day to learning more about Black history or Black inventors, politicians, artists, etc. Talk not just about struggles, changes, and accomplishments but how it takes the diversityThis word simply means differences.  It generally refers to differences in things like race, gender, religion, language, culture, or appearance. More of backgrounds and ideas to make the world better. Another idea would be to research states, cities, or companies that do not honor the Holiday and send out emails or postcards urging them to formally acknowledge this important day in United States history.
• After explaining to your child that there is still work to do in this country to make sure that Black people are afforded the same opportunities as White people, think about what you might be able to do to take action. Some ideas include volunteering to send postcards helping to register voters; make an educational video or presentation about the holiday to share with others; contact local bodies of government to demand changes in policies and practices related to education and policing that are biased against Black people. Be sure to focus on both immediate and sustained plans for involvement.