“We are walking on paths that were not paved by us but made for us,” said Tanna Biller, a local high school student, when asked about the significance of Juneteenth as part of an essay contest hosted by Battle Creek TRHT. Biller, who won first place in the competition, shared sentiments that aligned with many of her peers who also realize they are paving the future through the footsteps of their ancestors.
This year, we invited the students within our community to provide insights about the importance of Juneteenth in addressing modern civil rights issues. While we offered prizes for first, second, and third-place winners, the ultimate outcome was learning the wisdom of our future leaders who stand at the forefront of narrative change.
One of the most recurring themes in essay responses was that students assume responsibility for leading change, an ideology many associate with Juneteenth. “This is not a call to despair, but a call to action, a reminder that change is possible and within our reach,” said Obed Khim, who won third place in the contest.
Students defined their role in advancing racial equity while describing some of our community's most prominent barriers.
“Despite the abolishment of slavery, there are still many unjust acts that plague black communities,” said another student, who preferred to remain anonymous. “This determines if a black family gets to live in the suburbs, or how a black woman or man may be treated in certain areas, like a store, on the street at night, in schools, and hospitals.”
Words of wisdom from our youth brings hope to our mission, which relies on younger generations as the most powerful change agents. Providing a platform for our youth to share their perspectives, concerns, and experiences is essential in shifting the narrative.
Their idealist nature, high energy, and passion for challenging the status quo often inspire cultural innovation and systemic transformation. Their impressionability allows them to adopt new narratives and dismantle harmful biases more easily than most. That’s why investing in our youth is the most promising action we can take to foster a more equitable world.
“We are victors in the face of despair, champions in the battle of discrimination, and conquerors of a tranquil future,” said Biller. “Juneteenth is our gifted legacy,”
We call on community members and leaders to empower our youth and young adults by giving them a platform to express their ideas and lived experiences and, more importantly, include them in decision-making processes.
“Our roots were severed centuries ago; there’s nothing we can do to change that,” said Alexis Jones, who won second place in the contest. “But what we can do is celebrate what we have, the ways we’ve managed to settle ourselves in this foreign soil and flourish into the garden wealth of culture we cultivated here.”
They are the leaders of tomorrow, the teachers, lawmakers, journalists, and caregivers of our future, and it's our responsibility to nurture their journeys.
Congratulations to our contest winners: Tanna Biller, Alexis Jones, Makayla Franklin, and Obed Khim!
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