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June 19, also known as Juneteenth, was a date written
into history. The Emancipation Proclamation was declared
on January 1, 1863, by President Abraham Lincoln. However,
slaves in Galveston, Texas, were not notified of the declaration
until June 19, 1865. As a result, African Americans observe
Juneteenth as the day the last slave was freed. Petty Officer
1st Class Dominic McNeil, an instructor and a member of the
Equal Opportunity Committee at the Defense Information
School (DINFOS), compares Juneteenth to our nation’s
Independence Day.
“We have July 4, the Independence Day in our nation,
but during that day, African Americans, or Black Americans,
were not 100% free. Juneteenth is a celebration.”
Federal recognition of Juneteenth was signed into law
just last year on June 17, 2021, furthering the commemoration
of African American strides in our democracy since the
implementation of Martin Luther King Day in 1983.
Seaman Heaven Brown, an admin clerk for Strike
Fighter Squadron 154 (VFA-154) “The Black Knights,” thinks
that federal recognition of Juneteenth is a step in the right
direction for the military. “I feel like it’s a good thing for
Blacks in the service to be able to rejoice in our culture.
The history of Black Americans in this country is damaging;
the recognition of our freedom is just as important as
our nation’s.”
Knowing U.S. history and the roots of Juneteenth
strengthens its impact on our military. Brown said it could
benefit service members to learn more about the new
federal holiday.
“Making it an actual federal holiday gives people the
opportunity to educate themselves,” said Brown. “What
people had to go through to make this day, what my
ancestors had to go through to give this opportunity to us,
and to understand the severity of how things were.”
To understand the gravity of Juneteenth, and what it
means to be a Black American throughout history and in
America today, we must look back to our past to better all
our futures.
“I think it’s vital for all Americans to understand the
history of Black Americans because it’s a big fight for us to
be recognized as contributors to society,” said McNeil. “The
contributions they make to the advancements of our nation,
and for other ethnicities to recognize Juneteenth, helps
improve relations, both racially and culturally, as a country.”
The recognition and pride associated with the
disestablishment of power over African Americans and the
historic mark of their independence, helps right the wrongs
of America’s past.
“We’ve been fighting for freedom and equality for
all different races, genders, and ethnicities for years and
recognizing it is in the right direction,” said McNeil. “The
government has decided to understand the struggles in
this country and try to right some of the wrongs that were
bestowed upon us. As far as the Navy goes, it’s important
to recognize our contributions to the Navy and the history of
Black Americans in the Navy, it’s a great thing.”
Righting the wrongs of the past and federally
recognizing equality for all Americans and service members
by implementing holidays such as Juneteenth further
amplifies our cohesiveness as a country.
As service members, our duty comes first, but to build
and maintain an effective fighting force, we must consider
everyone. We are made up of every ethnicity that the United
States of America has to offer and being transparent with
each other is needed to maintain an effective military.
“Have more conversations, understand the beginnings,
and just step back and look at perspective,” said McNeil.
“Change, culture, environment, and the tensions that flare up
during these conversations is key to understanding where
they’re coming from and that we might not always agree.”
These conversations are sparked by recognizing
holidays like Juneteenth and Martin Luther King Day. Having
conversations centered around rights, whether civil or
ethical, and recognizing all people in our country is the right
thing to do.
“If you’re raised in a certain way of doing things and
you’re used to it, that’s where your morals come from, as
people, we try to understand it,” said Brown. “But if we cannot
be open-minded with each other how are we ever going to be
able to fight for each other?”
Service members overcome adversity daily, whether it’s
haze gray and underway or boots on the ground. The last
thing they should have to worry about is the color of their skin
affecting how they fight for their country. Historical changes
like a federally recognized Juneteenth are significant to not
only service members but to the United States of America as
a whole.
| Date Taken: | 06.19.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 12.28.2022 12:44 |
| Story ID: | 435979 |
| Location: | FORT MEADE, MARYLAND, US |
| Web Views: | 36 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, CELEBRATING JUNETEENTH, by PO2 Carson Davis, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
