Dear Neighbor,
This July, we celebrated the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. While there are events scheduled across the United States in honor of our semi-quincentennial, there were events planned right here in Stratford, including fireworks on July 2nd at Short Beach. In this week’s issue, Luz reflects on what it means to be an American, in the Spanish translation of her article. Last month, on June 19th, the federally recognized holiday of Juneteenth afforded many across the country a day off from work, while in Stratford a Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony was held, as well as a lively celebration at the South End Community Center organized by Ty Sims, Program Coordinator of the South End Community Center and her team. With the celebration of Juneteenth (a day that honors when the message of freedom made it to the slaves in Galveston, Texas) and Pride Month (a month to celebrate the in 1969 Stonewall Riots which impacted LGBTQIA+ people, and transgender women of color), in June, the town of Stratford celebrated, remembered, and honored, people who for more than 200+ years have been murdered, taunted, harassed, and more, because of the color of their skin, the people they love, and even disregarded as a living, breathing person.
June was a month to remember, and let’s not forget that among us, in Stratford, and America at large, there are many people and groups, from religious to those in the LGBTQIA+ community to people of color to immigrants, who still fight every day for equality, justice, and equity.
This month began with a bang, quite literally, at Short Beach with fireworks. And in this week’s issue, you will hear from people with something to say about our flag, our crosswalk, our neighbors, our friends, and issues that matter and impact us all. Let’s not forget our tax bills which arrived in the mail for many of us, just last week. Stay tuned for our next issue when contributor, Tom Kelly, reflects on the 78-acre property slated for development over the next few years – the Army Engine Plant.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. –Preamble to the Declaration of Independence
Happy July, neighbors!
