Naugatuck Resident Shares Essay About Juneteenth

Destiny Chapman, of Naugatuck, shares her essay regarding Juneteenth, an observance and celebration of the abolishment of slavery announcement from June 19, 1865.

Her essay is as follows:

“Juneteenth has been an honorary celebration in observance of the announcement that slavery has been abolished. On June 19, 1865, for the last 150 years, we have recognized Juneteenth as the celebratory event which commemorates the emancipation of African-American slaves throughout a Confederate South. Juneteenth is about freedom, it is about rejoicing life for the gift it is. Juneteenth recognizes our ability to grow beyond boundaries, to live without impositions and experience life fully with all of its joys and simple pleasures. Meaningful things such as warmth, kindness, hope, and unconditional love are a basic human right. Being emancipated from bondage, from oppression, from brutality, injustices, abuse, intolerance and hostility is what Juneteenth represents for many of us.

It is my honor to be crowned Miss Juneteenth 2015 Queen. It is a privilege for me to represent African-Americans nationwide who have sacrificed their lives, their families, and themselves on the behalf of others. To be afforded the same human rights equally without any bias’, prejudices, or racism is a realized dream for many before me. To be able to live, dine, play and be respectfully educated anywhere within the United States is way of life we all benefit from. When we consider air and sunlight, both offer a service which benefits all unconditionally. Every living thing in the world benefits from air and sun. With this alone, we learn the importance of equality, non-discriminative existences, practices and approaches. Realizing Juneteenth is one of many conduits in achieving equality for all.

I value my personal life experiences because I learn from them. Those experiences have help to cultivate who I am. I can appreciate how mistreatment feels. To experience first-hand how a group of hurtful people can impose hurt in your life is more than unsettling, it is another teaching moment. Unkind people, unloving people, cold hearted people are part of this world, however we do not have to be subjected to their wrath. Through these experiences and my faith I have gained self-awareness, gained a good sense of self, and incredible amount of resilience as a result. Through these experiences I am able to overcome adversity in my life such as peer pressure, unkind treatment and prejudices.

Bringing awareness to Juneteenth is doable with real effort, we must understand this generation’s concerns. Only then are we equipped to usher change and increase awareness. Social networking and social media can be a tool to broadcast awareness of Juneteenth. Our generation is not our aware of our own independence due to lack of knowledge. An academic curriculum should be implemented during Black History month in all schools and all grade levels. In order to accept who we truly are, need to know the importance of OUR HISTORY in spite of what is being academically taught.

The ‘Girl Talk’ program, directed by founder Dawn Spearman, which I am a part of is inspiring. ‘Girl Talk’ opens dialogue for discussions which are sensitive. Girl Talk openly, confidentially and honestly discusses current social issues which confront us today. These discussions are not within an academic curriculum, which could address racism, peer pressure, social media, and everyday life issues. This inspires me to continue these discussions at school, with peers, with family and friends.

Being educated in the Bridgeport School Magnet system Juneteenth was never a topic of discussion. Graduating from Thurgood Marshall Magnet Middle School in Bridgeport I have achieved and experienced academic success, although Juneteenth was never introduced as an academic subject. As a freshman at my current school, Naugatuck High School my academic success continues however Juneteenth is still not a topic of academic discussion. Through Girl Talk I get to see how young women of color are collectively affected by similar issues. Whether those issues are societal or personal, young women of color are encountered with adversities which can either make or break us. Through these experiences I am pleased with my reflection in the mirror. I see, Destiny Chapman, a human being, an African-American/ Latino young lady who represents love, light, strength, courage, kindness, compassion, wisdom, and above all this I see a force to be reckoned, Miss Juneteenth 2015 Queen.”

Chapman will appear in the following parades in the coming months:

Juneteenth Parade, June 13, in Bridgeport, Connecticut

Barnum Parade, June 28, in Bridgeport, Connecticut

Puerto Rican Day Parade, July 12, in Bridgeport, Connecticut

Harlem Day Parade, Sept., in New York City