CCN Colloquium: "Collective Memory from the Margins and the Cultural Psychology of Juneteenth"

Since 1866, Black Americans in Texas have commemorated emancipation from slavery with annual Juneteenth celebrations. Although other celebrations of emancipation took place in other areas and at different times, Juneteenth celebrations migrated to other states. And now, as a relatively new federal holiday in the US, Juneteenth commemoration practices provide an opportunity to explore how different commemoration activities emerge and become hegemonic. In this talk, I will share data from two studies (one correlational, one experimental) that explore the relationships between what comes to mind when people think about Juneteenth, their identities, and attitudes about the holiday. Using a cultural psychological perspective, I will discuss the implications of Juneteenth for understanding the bi-directional relationships between collective memory, collective identity, and collective action.