News and commentary to champion excellence, belonging, and community at MIT
MIT School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences
Summer 2022 Edition
JUNETEENTH 2022
A family Juneteenth picnic; Photo: iStock
COMMENTARY
Hold sacred the history | Assistant Dean Tracie Jones
Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day in the African American community, marks the day, June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas to announce the end of the Civil War and slavery. The public celebration that day in Galveston began an annual tradition now observed across the U.S. as a day of reflection, festivities, remembrance of ancestors — and dedication to helping the nation fulfill its ideals.
There are many ways to celebrate Juneteenth: You can read about the holiday; watch a video on its history; consider the meanings of freedom; make traditional cuisine for a cookout or picnic with family and friends; attend an MIT event or another community event; or support Black-owned businesses and organizations. Whatever you choose to do — enjoy the holiday and hold sacred the history!
About Juneteenth
Making A Just Society: Humanistic Resources at MIT
MIT and the Legacy of Slavery
BEARING WITNESS/SEEKING JUSTICE
Cell phone with still from a video of police violence; collage
YOU ARE INVITED | CONFERENCE AT MIT, OCTOBER 5-7
Bearing Witness/Seeking Justice: Videography in the Hands of the People
“We’re encouraging people in the Greater Boston area to attend, including young people, concerned citizens, community-based organizations — everyone who cares about democracy, media, justice, and truth-telling."
Story + Information + Register
POV: ON CULTURE
Heather Paxson, William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Anthropology, and Program Head. Photo: Allegra Boverman
ON MIT CULTURE | ANTHROPOLOGY
Culture is a meaning-making practice | Heather Paxson, Head, MIT Anthropology
"Anthropologists originated the modern understanding of 'culture,' as describing a shared field of beliefs, values, and habituated ways of behaving that give meaning to daily life. What does anthropology — the scientific study of humanity — have to say about 'MIT culture'?"
Commentary
JOY
Audience joins in event by Rambax, MIT's Senegalese Drumming Ensemble. Photo: Jon Sachs
"The sharing of joy, whether physical, emotional, psychic, or intellectual, forms a bridge between the sharers which can be the basis for understanding much of what is not shared between them, and lessens the threat of their difference.” ― Audre Lorde
Share your joyful experiences
Joy is an integral part of human well-being. Read Audre Lorde's insights about caring for ourselves as an act of social innovation — and, if you wish, share some things that bring you joy and well-being. Send your thoughts to shass-comm@mit.edu, and let us know if you prefer your contribution to be credited or anonymous.
RESOURCES
From A Father’s Lullaby, an immersive work by OpenDocLab fellow Rashin Fahandej. Photo: Aram Bogosian
Practical Resources for Opportunities and Challenges
An ever-growing archive of resources, examples, and how-to articles to assist you in everyday work and life situations.
Browse the Resources
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Executive Editor: Tracie Jones, Assistant Dean
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MIT School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences
17 June 2022