06/20/2023
Making silly faces with my boy.
Wanted to share my remarks at Arlington’s Juneteenth Celebration.
This Juneteenth I wanted to share my remarks at our town’s Celebration.
I walked into D’Ags years ago with my husband’s standing order of one pound turkey, 1/2 pound American cheese, dressed in a head wrap and a t-shirt that read black journalists lives matter.
To say I got a few stares would be an understatement. But I had been in this situation before and placed my order.
The crew recognized it and asked me who it was for and when I told them — my husband Jonathan Copithorne, Copithorne a family with deep generational roots, I became one of them. An Arlingtonian.
It was unexpected and in the years since, I realized Arlington is a town of deep tradition and willful change.
I have always believed you have to be the change you want to see in the world. The only way I knew how to do that was through civic engagement. Prepared to knock down doors to get on a board or a commission, I found them already propped open.
When I had an idea for Black History Month banners and programming — I was met with enthusiasm.
When I joined the MLK Committee with more ideas, they made me chair.
When I met with Jill Harvey at Butternut Bakehouse down the street to ask what I can do to help, we not only formed a lasting friendship, my ideas were welcome in her bold vision for a visibly inclusive Arlington; where any person of color knows they not only belong and they are a critical part of our community.
I found that Arlington’s deep tradition is the tie that binds the ever-changing threads of our community. The amazing technicolor dreamcoat that combines countries, culture, and ideologies.
Because we belong to eachother. We belong here. All of us.
On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger declared ensalved people were free. Free to move about the country, join communities, make them better. Put down roots. It wasn’t easy but because of their sacrifice, I can now walk into D’Ags and be greeted with a smile, a joke, a story. My son carries the name Copithorne as a black man and is welcomed.
That is the power of community that is my ancestors wildest dreams and that is the challenge I give to you today — make your neighbor welcome. Invite them to carry Arlington’s traditions and do it proudly.
