The Original Juneteenth Colors: Red, White, and Blue

The Original Juneteenth Colors: Red, White, and Blue

The official Juneteenth flag, created in 1997 by activist Ben Haith, uses red, white, and blue. These colors were chosen deliberately to emphasize that formerly enslaved people and their descendants are Americans and that freedom belongs to them as much as anyone else.

The Juneteenth flag includes:

Red, white, and blue representing the American flag.

A bursting star symbolizing a new beginning.

A star representing Texas, where Juneteenth originated.

An arc across the flag representing a new horizon and greater opportunities.

The Pan-African Colors: Red, Black, and Green

The Pan-African colors came from a different historical tradition. They were popularized by Marcus Garvey and the Universal Negro Improvement Association in the 1920s.

The colors generally symbolize:

Red – the blood shed in the struggle for freedom.

Black – the people of African descent.

Green – the land, hope, and future of Africa and its descendants.

Gold is sometimes added in certain African national flags and cultural celebrations, but the traditional Pan-African flag is red, black, and green.

Why Do Many Juneteenth Celebrations Use Pan-African Colors Today?

Over time, Juneteenth celebrations expanded beyond commemorating the end of slavery in Texas. Many communities began emphasizing:

▪️African heritage

▪️Black pride

▪️Cultural identity

▪️Pan-African unity

As a result, many Juneteenth festivals, clothing, decorations, and marketing materials incorporate red, black, and green alongside—or sometimes instead of—the official Juneteenth red, white, and blue colors.

Is One More Correct Than the Other?

Not necessarily.

If you're highlighting Juneteenth as an American freedom holiday, the red, white, and blue Juneteenth flag is historically accurate.

If you're highlighting African heritage, Black identity, and cultural pride, the Pan-African colors are commonly used and widely recognized.

Many modern Juneteenth celebrations blend both traditions, displaying the official Juneteenth flag while also featuring Pan-African colors in artwork, clothing, and community events.

This difference sometimes sparks debate because some people believe Juneteenth should primarily celebrate the completion of freedom in America, while others see it as a broader celebration of Black history, resilience, and African diasporic culture. Both perspectives are represented in Juneteenth celebrations across the country.

What are your thoughts?