Berry and Kiwi Pan-African Flag Popsicles Recipe for Juneteenth

Throughout Juneteenth you might even see a couple of completely different flags with various designs, however you’ll most likely see the identical three colours: pink, black, and inexperienced. Many individuals acknowledge this as a quintessentially Black coloration mixture however don’t know the story behind these colours. And for a few years, I used to be a type of folks. Now that I do know the story, I share it with my younger children by doing a enjoyable popsicle-making venture that doubles as a historical past lesson. Learn on to be taught extra about this coloration mixture, and to discover ways to make your personal pink, black, and inexperienced popsicles to rejoice Juneteenth and Black liberation.

Purple, black, and inexperienced are the colours of the Pan-African flag, which is why that is the most prevalent color combination you’ll see on Juneteenth, the vacation that celebrates the releasing of enslaved folks in Texas in 1865, two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.

I grew up in Texas, the place Juneteenth has been a state vacation since 1980, however Juneteenth wasn’t mentioned in class, and my household didn’t rejoice it, so I didn’t know what it was till I used to be an grownup and got here throughout it on Instagram. Now I mark it with my husband and youngsters by speaking about my residence state’s usually missed Black historical past, and making one thing pink to eat or drink, which is conventional on Juneteenth. Many celebrants recall that Yoruba and Kongo cultures related pink with sacrifice, transition, and energy. Along with making  red foods and drinks, many Black households will host a cookout or take part in a bigger group celebration.

The Pan-African Flag

In 2022, when my husband and I took our then-two-year-old son to an area Juneteenth celebration, we obtained a bag of youngsters’ craft provides, lots of which had been coloured pink, black, and inexperienced. I noticed then that I didn’t know the story behind this coloration mixture, and subsequently couldn’t clarify it to my little one. So I regarded it up and began studying in regards to the Pan-African flag, which I’d seen numerous occasions earlier than however hadn’t been calling by identify.

The Pan-African flag has three horizontal bars. Beginning on the high, pink stands for the blood that was shed within the combat in opposition to oppression, and the blood that’s shared amongst us. Black stands for our id as Black folks. Inexperienced stands for the pure fertility and abundance of Africa.

The Pan-African flag represents Black liberation all through the diaspora, and it was adopted in 1920 by the Common Negro Enchancment Affiliation (UNIA). The UNIA was based in Jamaica by Marcus Garvey, who embraced Black nationalism, Black financial independence, and a “again to Africa” motion to reunite members of the diaspora with the motherland. For Garvey, the Pan-African flag was an necessary a part of fostering Black political power. The flag is typically known as the UNIA flag, the Marcus Garvey flag, or the Black liberation flag.

Different Flags Seen on Juneteenth

You may even see pink, black, and inexperienced in several configurations on Juneteenth, like on David Hammons’ African-American flag. In keeping with the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Hammons stated of the Pan-African flag: “It’s so summary, so pure, that the plenty had been frightened by it. I made my flag as a result of I felt that they wanted one just like the U.S. flag however with black stars as an alternative of white ones.” 

There’s additionally another Juneteenth flag that was created in 1997 by activist Ben Haith. Its design is a reimagining of the U.S. flag to emphasise that the folks freed in Texas had been Americans, and the flag incorporates a Lone Star, just like the Texas state flag. You might see this flag exterior of presidency buildings in locations that select to look at the vacation. Nevertheless, many individuals don’t fly it as a result of its colours—pink, white, and blue—could conflate Juneteenth with Independence Day. For a lot of Black households, it’s essential to tell apart Black liberation from the freedoms that had been afforded to white folks lengthy earlier than Black folks achieved those self same rights, if ever.

Other than Juneteenth, the Pan-African flag might be seen year-round exterior of Black-owned companies, in Black houses, and on events that concern Black liberation, like parades or protests. That historical past, and this recipe, are good any time of yr.

Turning the Pan-African Flag Into Popsicles

My children are nonetheless very younger, so I needed to show them in regards to the historical past and significance of the Pan-African flag and Black liberation and empowerment in a relatable approach. They love to observe the CoComelon videos, they usually benefit from the “Rainbow Popsicle” music specifically. We had made these multicolored, multilayered popsicles earlier than, however as soon as I began studying in regards to the Pan-African flag, I believed it will be a extra significant exercise for us to make them on this design and discuss what every coloration means.

To make half a dozen popsicles that seem like the Pan-African flag, I begin with fruit. It’s good to make use of contemporary fruit that’s ripe with a pleasant robust taste. Nevertheless, the height seasons for among the fruits I take advantage of aren’t completely aligned with Juneteenth, so frozen or barely out-of-season fruit will do. I like to make use of strawberries for the pink layer, blackberries for the black layer, and kiwi for the inexperienced layer. Additionally appropriate are raspberries or watermelon for the pink layer, black cherries for the black layer, and honeydew melon for the inexperienced layer. Remember that the black layer will doubtless come out a really darkish purple somewhat than a real black. Be happy so as to add a couple of drops of black meals coloring to darken it.

Since many of the elements are contemporary produce, the youngsters can snack as we go, they usually like to see the ultimate product emerge from the popsicle mildew. They usually don’t final lengthy in our home. They’re crisp and funky, excellent for summer time, they usually style deliciously like precise fruit, in contrast to many store-bought popsicles that style like synthetic flavoring.