Dr. Williams-Forson Talks Centrality of Food to Juneteenth Celebrations
Dr. Psyche Williams-Forson sat down for an interview with WAMU 88.5 radio about the centrality of food to the celebration of Juneteenth
For the last 150 years, food has been an essential part of celebrating Juneteenth, the holiday that commemorates the emancipation of slaves in the United States. For some, celebrating means drinking cold glasses of red drinks and feasting on watermelon or spicy red sausages, symbolizing the blood and resilience of former slaves. For others, it means indulging in traditional black Southern cuisine like fried chicken, collard greens and cornbread.
Why is food such an integral part of Juneteenth? What is the history behind these celebratory meals?