The Black New Year

One Mic Black History Newsletter #11

Good Day Fam, Welcome Back to One Mic History Newsletter. Thank you for joining us today, I appreciate your support. Today we once again have something special for the holidays: The History of Black Folks and New Year’s Day.

During the period before the Civil War, New Year's Day was often referred to as “Hiring Day” or “Heartbreak Day.” These names came from the heartbreaking situation enslaved people used to face. Enslaved individuals were forced to wait in suspense to find out if they would be rented out to another family or household and separated from their own families. This practice was an alternative to selling a slave and was a beneficial way for white slave owners and hirers to make money.

This idea of hiring out enslaved people was not uncommon in the South, historian Alexis McCrossen explains, "Hiring Day was part of the larger economic system. Most payments and debts were taken care of on New Year's Day."

This activity took place all year long, but was especially concentrated on New Year's Day. On this day, contracts between buyers and sellers, as well as between slaves and their owners, could start or end. These agreements were often conducted privately between friends, family members, and business associates, and slaves were sometimes exchanged in town squares, on courthouse steps, and even on the side of the road. It is important to remember that enslaved people were viewed as investments and assets, and as such, could be rented, used as collateral, repossessed, and sold.

In 1842 a slave named Lewis Clarke stated “Of all days in the year, the slaves dread New Year’s Day the worst of any.”

However January 1, 1863, a pivotal moment in American history, notably for its Black folks. It was on this day that President Abraham Lincoln officially enacted the Emancipation Proclamation.

In the summer of 1862, After border states had turned down the offer of compensated emancipation, where they would be paid to free their slaves. President Lincoln had the realization that the key to winning the Civil War and uniting the country again was directly connected to the issue of slavery. From that point on, Lincoln decided that dealing with slavery was going to play a crucial part in ending the war.

So, on September 22, 1862, Lincoln announced the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. The basic idea behind it was that anyone enslaved in states or parts of states which were still rebelling on January 1, 1863, would be set free. However, there was a catch. If any Confederate state decided to rejoin the Union before January 1, 1863, their slaves would not be freed.

As the day drew closer, enslaved people and abolitionists gathered together late into the night. They held "Watch Night" events, often in churches or homes where it was safe, and they kept vigil, praying and hoping for the time when the Proclamation would become official.

Watch Night was a tradition that had its roots in Christian communities back in the 1740s, particularly with groups like the Methodists. It usually involved people staying awake through the night, praying and reflecting as they welcomed the New Year. However, for African Americans, Watch Night had a deeper significance.

they also prayed, sang hymns, and read from the Bible. They waited for the break of dawn which symbolized more than just a new day. It was the dawn of freedom they were eagerly waiting for, a spiritual and historical turning point rather than just the start of a new year. It was a very important time filled with hope for over three million enslaved African Americans, who were on the verge of being legally freed.

As the years passed, Watch Night evolved into much more than an annual remembrance of the Emancipation Proclamation. It became a central event in the African American religious and cultural heritage. Black Americans, with their diverse religious affiliations, congregate in churches on New Year's Eve for Watch Night Services. This commemorative spiritual gathering is an opportunity to give thanks, reflect on the past year, and pray for guidance through the coming year.

Watch Night services typically include singing hymns such as 'Freedom's Eve,' sharing personal stories of overcoming difficulties, reading the Emancipation Proclamation, and praying until midnight. As the church bells ring to welcome the new year, it brings a renewed spirit of determination. This represents the unwavering faith and strength that has always been an important part of the history of the African American community.

The food traditions related to New Year’s Eve in the African American community are tied closely to history. During the time of slavery, black-eyed peas and greens were often the only foods enslaved African Americans were allowed to eat. So, these foods became a part of their New Year's tradition. The peas symbolize coins, and their expansion while cooking represents growing wealth. As per the tradition, eating these on New Year’s Day is believed to usher in financial success in the new year.

On the other hand, greens, usually collard, symbolize banknotes; hence, they are eaten to attract wealth. However, beyond the symbolism, these food items were nutrient-dense and inexpensive facets of the culinary tradition, ensuring sustenance and survival during harsh times.

The tradition reflects the dynamic interplay between survival, symbolic consumption, and deliberate perpetuation of cultural heritage, deeply intertwined with African American history. This tradition owes a significant part of its origin to the Civil War event in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Here, in 1863, the town ran out of food while under attack, and black-eyed peas became a lifesaver, transforming into a symbol of luck.

Accompanying these key items is cornbread, which adds to the aesthetic and symbolism of a prosperous year ahead. Its golden color embodies the vibrancy of gold, a universal symbol of wealth. Cornbread's history also points to resilience and adaptation, as corn was one of the crops introduced to the enslaved people, thereby making its way into their diets and culinary traditions.

Interestingly, in the spirit of communal inclusivity, the culinary tradition of black-eyed peas, greens, and cornbread spreads beyond the African American community and is embraced widely across Southern households during New Year’s Eve. these dishes highlights the dynamic and evolving nature of African American cuisine adopted by broader American culture.

From Heartbreak Day to Watch Night on Freedom’s Eve, these traditional practices in the black communities has widened considerably, and black communities nationwide have adopted more universally recognized traditions alongside their unique cultural practices. For instance, first footing, is the first person to enter the home on New Year's Day and is seen as a bringer of good fortune for the coming year, dates back to north England in the 8th and 9th century, making New Year's resolutions, a universal practice pointing towards personal growth and self-improvement, dates back the early Akitu celebrations, both have significant acceptance within black communities and both melted together with African American traditions, making the New Year's celebration a true melting pot of old and new.

New Year's Day isn't just about counting down to midnight and making resolutions—It embodies a spirit of hope and determination that has been passed down through the generations. Nowadays, these Watch Night services are a time for praise and honor ones history, and New Year provides an opportunity for reflection of the past, and promote positivity in the future.

Thank you so much for joining us today, I hope you have a wonderful day, If you like stories like this you can find more stories like this at One Mic History.

Thank you, I appreciate your support and Happy Holidays

-Countryboi