A Juneteenth Reading List

I listened to a Juneteenth-themed episode of the Dinner SOS podcast a few weeks ago in which Jamila Robinson and Carla Hall talked about Juneteenth traditions and foods. They mentioned an idea that appealed to me: We could consider the whole period between June 19 and July 4 as a time of reflection and celebration of freedom and independence. I decided to create a Juneteenth reading list for that span of time with the three books below. They added to my knowledge about Juneteenth, of course, but more broadly kept me thinking about race, freedom, and the work that still needs to be done.

High on the Hog by Jessica B. Harris (2011)

This book traces African American cooking and tastes from Africa through the experience of Blacks in America. So much of “Southern” cooking is African cooking, though Harris is also sure to include the influences of European and Indigenous cooks. There are a handful of recipes included in the book, sourced from Harris’s research.

The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead (2016)

This books tells the story of Cora, from her time enslaved through her escape and the long path to freedom. Whitehead blends realistic fiction with fantastical elements (e.g., the Underground Railroad involves actual trains), but I never doubted the veracity of Cora’s experience. I highly recommend this immersive book.

On Juneteenth by Annette Gordon-Reed (2021)

This collection of essays tells Gordon-Reed’s personal history as a Black Texan. It was a great viewpoint into the history of Juneteenth and the origin of the holiday, now celebrated nationally.