Brandon K. Baker, Penn Today
(Image: State Archives of Florida)
Sometimes called America’s second Independence Day, Juneteenth is celebrated on June 19 and, this year, marks 160 years since the arrival of Union troops in Galveston, Texas, to announce that enslaved people were free. The day was first recognized as a national holiday in 2021 and is one of eight holidays observed by the University for faculty and staff.
Penn Today spoke with five specialists from the Penn Libraries who recommended materials, many of which are accessible through the Libraries, that educate, inspire, or—in the case of one cookbook—delight. A fuller guide to Juneteenth materials can be found on the Penn Libraries Juneteenth webpage.
“Juneteenth Texas,” co-edited by Francis Edward Abernethy, Carolyn Fiedler Satterwhite, Patrick B. Mullen, and Alan B. Govenar
Recommended by: Mercy K. Ayilo, Africana studies librarian
“Juneteenth Texas” is a 1996 collection of personal essays written from both Black and white perspectives. The essays describe aspects of African American folk culture in Texas, touching on genres of folklore—particularly through songs and stories, with references to performers like blues singer Lightnin’ Hopkins and street musician Bongo Joe.
“Freedom Over Me: Eleven Slaves, Their Lives and Dreams Brought to Life,” by Ashley Bryan
Recommended by: Lynne Farrington, director of programs and senior curator of Special Collections at the Kislak Center
Ashley Bryan draws from slave auction and plantation estate documents to create this paintings-and-poetry book, published in 2016, to interpret life on the plantation for elementary-grade children. The text is accessible through the Ashley Bryan Archive, containing hundreds of original works by the renowned storyteller and humanitarian, donated to Penn Libraries in 2019.