Juneteenth: Seeds of Freedom, Roots of Resilience
- stacey9831
- Jun 18
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 19
There's a story that doesn't get told often enough about Juneteenth, and it's growing right in our gardens. It's the story of seeds.
While we rightfully celebrate June 19th as the day news of emancipation finally reached enslaved people in Texas, there's another freedom story happening simultaneously—one that connects directly to how we think about food, land, and healing today.
It's the story of how enslaved people preserved their food traditions, medicinal knowledge, and agricultural wisdom despite centuries of oppression. And how that wisdom continues to nourish and heal communities today.
The Seeds They Saved
Did you know that enslaved Africans often hid seeds in their hair, clothing, and belongings during the Middle Passage? They carried okra seeds, black-eyed peas and watermelon seeds—literally carrying their food culture across an ocean.
These weren't just ingredients. They were acts of resistance. They were hope planted in the soil of an unknown land.
When I think about this, I'm moved to tears. Imagine the incredible foresight and courage it took to save seeds when you didn't know if you'd ever have the freedom to plant them. This was my insipiration for my children's book Grow. Eat. Repeat. A Love Letter to Black-Eyed Peas.
Gardens as Acts of Liberation
After emancipation, one of the first things many formerly enslaved people did was claim land and start gardens. Not just for survival (though that was crucial), but for something deeper—the right to grow their own food, to make their own choices about what to plant and harvest.
They grew:
Collard greens that could survive harsh winters and provide year-round nutrition
Sweet potatoes that stored well and provided essential vitamins
Black-eyed peas that improved soil health while feeding families and supporting fertility
Watermelons that provided hydration, sweetness and financial security (selling watermelons)
These weren't random crop choices. This was sophisticated agricultural knowledge passed down through generations, adapted to new climates and circumstances.
The Healing Wisdom They Preserved
Many of the plants grown in these early freedom gardens weren't just food—they were medicine. Enslaved people had become skilled healers by necessity, blending African plant knowledge with indigenous American traditions and whatever they could cultivate.
Collard greens: Rich in vitamins A, C, and K, plus calcium and folate—essential nutrition when other foods were scarce
Sweet potato leaves: Often overlooked today, but packed with antioxidants and traditionally used for everything from supporting immune function to promoting healthy skin
Okra: Not just for gumbo—the mucilage was used to soothe digestive issues, and the plant was valued for its complete amino acid profile
Watermelon seeds: Roasted and eaten for their protein and healthy fats, or made into tea for kidney support
What This Means for Us Today
As we celebrate Juneteenth, we can honor this legacy in our own gardens and kitchens. Every time we:
Save seeds from our harvest
Grow our own food
Use plants for both nutrition and healing
Share gardening knowledge with others
Support Black farmers and food entrepreneurs
...we're continuing this tradition of food freedom.
The Tradition of Red Foods
While we honor the garden legacy of Juneteenth, we can't forget another beautiful tradition—the prominence of red foods on Juneteenth tables. These vibrant dishes carry deep symbolism: red represents the blood shed during slavery and the fight for freedom, the resilience and strength of African Americans, and our cultural roots connecting back to Africa.
Traditional red foods like watermelon, hibiscus tea, and red velvet cake aren't just delicious—they're edible expressions of remembrance and celebration. The preference for "red drinks" in African American culture often traces back to the hibiscus plant (known as bissap, sorrel, or roselle), which holds important cultural and medicinal significance in African traditions.
The Seeds We Plant Today
Juneteenth reminds us that freedom isn't just a moment—it's an ongoing cultivation. Every seed saved, every garden planted, every tradition preserved and shared is a continuation of that liberation story.
What seeds are you planting for future generations? What food traditions are you preserving or learning about?
With deep respect and gratitude,
Stacey
P.S. If you want to dive deeper into this history, I recommend checking out "The Cooking Gene" by Michael Twitty and "High on the Hog" by Jessica B. Harris. Both books beautifully explore the African roots of American food culture.
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