Jack, on January 1, 1863 the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect declaring that "all persons held as slaves" within the rebellious states "are, and henceforward shall be free."

It wasn't until June 19, 1865, nearly two and half years later, when enslaved Black Americans were informed of their freedom. In 2021, 156 years afterwards, President Biden finally ensured the nation recognized that pivotal moment in U.S. history as a federal holiday when he signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act.

As celebrations happen around the country, we also need to recognize the lasting legacy of slavery, the country's broken promises to Black people, the threat of white nationalism, and the numerous barriers created by anti-Blackness that still exist. A legacy that far too many politicians are trying to erase from our history books and schools.

Today we see the lasting legacy of racism in systems of white supremacy which continue to deny Black people equal housing, equal employment, equal health care, equal education, equal voting rights and representation, and so much more.

While we celebrate Juneteenth as a national holiday, we must not lose sight of the ongoing hard work to find true equality for Black people.

Join me in making a donation to Black-led organizations that are doing the critical grassroots work to bring equal access to the ballot, protection from murderous law enforcement, affordable reproductive care, freedom from over policing and mass incarceration, and so many other examples of systemic racism that plague our communities.

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Thank you for all you do,
Amanda McKay, Daily Kos

Daily Kos, PO Box 70036, Oakland, CA, 94612.