Today we celebrate Juneteenth
Just as this day is remembered as the beginning of change for the people of our nation, the changes that are currently happening in our communities, are also just the beginning. The biggest impact of this day, was meeting the young people that organized this event, most of them high school seniors. In the midst of a pandemic changing the expectations of their final year in high school, they rallied together, bonding over truth. Truths that all are created equal. That no man or woman should be treated as less than, due to the color of their skin. Instead of prom, these kids collected donations to supply masks and hand sanitizers. Instead of senior trips, they spoke to city representatives, police officials, church leaders, to join together for a cause. Instead of walking across the stage, to accept their diplomas for completing high school, they walked, arm-in-arm with their neighbors, chanting, ‘All lives can’t matter, until black lives matter!’
Hope. After this day, we have so much hope for the future of our community, as well as our nation. So much hope, knowing that these young people, are our future leaders, politicians, law makers. Change takes time, and it has been a long time coming for this kind of change. We are so proud of these young people, and we are so proud of Apopka.