Culinary historian Adrian Miller spoke to Insider about the significance of red foods on Juneteenth, a holiday that marks the end of slavery in the United States. Miller explained that Juneteenth celebrations in Texas after 1865 were vibrant community-wide events that combined religious, patriotic, and festive elements. In addition to cookouts and neighborhood parties, observers held jamborees specifically for Black people to commemorate their freedom. These celebrations began with prayer and patriotic readings, followed by musical performances and finally, a party. Food played a crucial role in these gatherings, with a massive public feast featuring barbecue as the main dish. Miller emphasized the importance of community in Juneteenth celebrations and highlighted the color red’s significance. Red food and drinks symbolize the blood shed by enslaved West African ancestors during the Atlantic slave trade. Red may also be a homage to West African cuisine, where dishes cooked with palm oil have a red hue. Miller mentioned that Juneteenth menus in Texas often include barbecue, a red drink, and a cooling dessert like watermelon. He urged people to observe Juneteenth beyond mere festivities, comparing it to Martin Luther King Jr. Day and emphasizing its importance in promoting social justice.
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