The summer season is all about freedom. School is out and the kids are running wild. Families are vacationing or (as I prefer) staycationing. All the festivities and fun surrounding July 4th. But June…
June is truly the month of celebration for diversity, acceptance, and inclusion. Not only is June well known as being Pride Month for the LGBTQIA+ community, there is also Juneteenth - which thanks to southern public school curriculum, I didn’t know about until I was an adult. First, in case you weren't taught these things like me, I'd like to give a little history on both Pride Month and Juneteenth.
The History of Pride
Pride is extremely well known by now, if not by the support from major companies across the globe than by the fervor with which people are protesting it - and I'm not just talking about Westboro or extremist churches anymore. But most people just assume that Pride is a means to try to indoctrinate young people through skimpy costumes and bawdy antics. However, its origins lie within the Stonewall Uprising in 1969 during which the Stonewall Inn, a popular gay bar in New York City, was consistently raided and it's patrons harassed by police solely on the basis of sexual discrimination. The patrons and people of Greenwich Village began to fight back, resulting in the formation of activist groups for the queer community and the first Pride march the following year in the pursuit of equal rights. Over time, the Pride march spread to other cities and evolved into the celebration of cultural events, celebrations, parades, and - yes, still - the demand for equal rights, acceptance of diversity, and promotion of inclusivity.
My Pride Experience
I attended a Pride event before my son was born and what I gained from that experience was a further solidified conviction of the goodness in people, the struggle and the love of communities that are discriminated against, and the utter joy of all the people there that were able to freely and safely express themselves without judgement. I met a lesbian couple that were pulled on stage during the mid-day drag performance for a surprise proposal. I met a trans man, who after years of strained relationships with his family was literally bursting with joy because this year his father joined him wearing a shirt that read "I love my trans son." I was pulled aside by a girl that looked to be in her early 20's. She was wearing jeans and a cropped tank top and had large adhesive covers over her breasts. She was visibly nervous and almost in tears as she asked me if she could get my opinion. I obliged happily, and she lifted her shirt to show me the adhesives. "Do I look bad?" She was fit, and even with no shirt on she was more covered by the adhesives than some people's choice in bikinis. I told it looked fine, and she dropped her shirt and covered her face momentarily, then said to me, "They're new. I'm still trying to get comfortable. I'm afraid of my scars being seen." And in that moment, I felt so extremely grateful to be in that spot at that moment. As an obviously cis/straight women attending as an ally, she trusted in me enough to share that moment with her. I remember lightly laying my hand on her wrist, giving her my warmest smile, reassuring her that it was okay, and telling her to go for it if it made her feel happy. And she did. As I walked away, she stripped off the tank top to the cheers of her friends standing nearby and had the biggest smile on her face because she was able to be her authentic self in a huge crowd of people and nobody was shaming her for it.
The History of Juneteenth
Juneteenth, however, is not as well known. Like I said before, I didn't even know anything about it until I was an adult and began doing my own research on things so I could be more aware of my own biases and the ways of the world. It's not a new thing that society tries to whitewash or eradicate the harmful truths in our country's history. We continue to see it today in the banning of books that discuss any sort of disparity toward minority groups, but the racism still present in our country is far too large to shove under a rug and pretend it isn't there. Juneteenth is also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day because it celebrates the day that the final enslaved African Americans were finally emancipated on June 19, 1865. But wait a second, that's over 2 years after the Emancipation Proclamation signed by President Abraham Lincoln, right? It sure is, because in the isolated area of Texas where these still enslaved people were residing, the slaveholders refused to free them. Enter General Granger, who brought military force along with him to make his announcement that the slaveholders were being made to release all enslaved people. The Juneteenth celebrations started immediately, first in Texas with the newly freed people and then spreading and evolving into the countrywide federal holiday full of community events, parades, historical reenactments, and education events.
Our Better Future Starts Now
Now that I’m older and wiser, I’m glad to be able to teach my son about these different celebrations of all kinds of people. I believe that the way to reach an inclusive society is through starting with our younger generations so they grow up with the knowledge and ability to show empathy, understanding, and acceptance. It doesn’t make me uncomfortable for my son to be aware that there are different kinds of families, different kinds of couples and parents, that gender has never been and will never be the cookie cutter male/female mold, and that the problems in history can often re-emerge when our political leaders create a climate of tolerance. Does this mean I’m pushing an agenda or indoctrinating my son? Not at all. All the conversations we have are tailored to a 4 year old’s level of comprehension. When I talk with my son about a heterosexual couple getting married, I don’t discuss their private parts or what happens in their bedroom. It’s just as simple as “they love each other and want to live together forever.” When I talk with my son about a homosexual couple, I don’t discuss their private parts or what happens in their bedroom. It’s just as simple as “they love each other and want to live together forever.” His preschool is a great mix of all different cultures and heritages so he sees all levels of skin tones and styles and language and this exposure alone has grown his view of the world around him. My son is exposed to lots of different ideas and concepts, and I don’t present something different than our norm as unusual or strange, but just a different preference with an emphasis on how each person has their right to express their preference, whether it’s in potato chips, clothing, which toy they want, or who they want to hold hands with. As he gets older, this exposure will lead to conversations about the history of different cultures and heritages in our country and our community so he can be sensitive to the biases that can still exist.
This kind of conversation doesn’t always come easy for people, though. And it’s normal if you’re not a part of the LGBTQ community or a minority group to worry that you may say the wrong thing or not know how to put into words how to explain these things to a child. That’s where my secret weapon comes in! And, of course, it's books 😊 So I've compiled a lists for children and lists for adults of books to foster diversity and acceptance that can help you learn, teach, and celebrate alongside others for Pride and Juneteenth.
Books to Read with your Child for Juneteenth
"All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom" by Angela Johnson and illustrated by E.B. Lewis is the story of a young girl learning about and experiencing the celebrations of Juneteenth for the first time.
"Lily's Victory Garden" by Helen L. Wilbur and illustrated by Robert Gantt Steele is not specifically about Juneteenth. Lily, the main character, is living through World War II tending to her garden. She develops unexpected friendships that show her the importance of inclusivity and how to overcome prejudices.
"Juneteenth Jamboree" by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Yvonne Buchanan introduces Juneteenth history and celebrations through poetic writing and bright images.
"All About Diversity" by Felicity Brooks and Mar Ferrero helps young children learn to respond in a kind and equal way to everyone regardless of shape, size, age, physical and mental ability, gender, race, beliefs, language, culture, national identity, background, and so on.
Adult Reads for Juneteenth
"The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas follows a teen girl through the gang related losses she experiences and the racial discriminations still present in today's time.
"Homegoing" by Yaa Gyasi is an intergenerational tale following 2 half sisters and their descendants to show the lasting effects of slavery and identity struggles.
"Beloved" by Toni Morrison follows an escaped slave's psychological and emotional responses to her history and quest for freedom.
"Small Great Things" by Jodi Picoult follows an African American nurse who is taken to court after a baby in her care dies through the lenses of racial bias, privilege, and the price of silence.
Books to Read with your Child for Pride Month
"And Tango Makes Three" by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell is a true story about 2 male penguins who form a loving relationship and hatch an egg together.
"All About Families" by Felicity Brooks and Mar Ferrero discusses all the different ways that people can be family, including single parents, grandparents raising children, and same sex parents.
"Worm Loves Worm" by JJ Austrian shares the story of 2 worms that want to get married but their friends want to know which one will wear the dress.
"Red: A Crayon's Story" by Michael Hall is about a blue crayon mislabeled as red and helps learn about self-discovery and acceptance.
Adult Reads for Pride Month
"Orlando" by Virginia Woolf is a playful look at gender fluidity and identity through the story of Orlando, a man who lives for centuries through the transformation into different embodiments.
"The Color Purple" by Alice Walker. While this is often endorsed for it's racial depictions, it can also be a great book to learn more about the process of self discovery and sexuality as you follow the main character's journey to strength and new relationships through a life of abuse.
"Less" by Andrew Sean Greer follows a man embarking on a global journey to avoid the upcoming wedding of his ex-boyfriend.
"Queer: A Graphic History" by Meg-John Barker and Julia Scheele covers the history of the LGBTQIA+ community.
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