Today marks the inauguration of a new administration, one led by a profoundly anti-Black man, on the same day that we’re celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a giant for civil rights who dedicated his life to ensuring that all Americans had access to the rights they deserved.
There couldn’t be a greater contrast between what Dr. King strived for and the dangerous, reckless agenda being pushed by incoming Republicans. In his first term, this President:
Undercut the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division that protects Black Americans from discrimination;
Pushed for tax bills that would dramatically cut funding for programs that provide funding for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs);
Scrapped efforts that were geared toward protecting Black students from discrimination in school punishment;
And that was just in his first 4 years, friend.
However, there is hope.
As CBC chair, I’m prepared to use my role and every tool possible to continue advocating for our communities’ needs, even in the face of stark opposition.
As we commemorate the life of Dr. King today, I’m keeping his memory alive by making a commitment to you: I will always stand as a counterbalance to House Republicans and continue to pass effective legislation to create a more equitable country.
I hope you’ll take a moment today to remember Dr. King’s mission: that all Americans, regardless of their skin color, deserve equal rights and opportunities.
In honor of his legacy,
— Yvette D. Clarke
Yvette Clarke is the ONLY Black woman representing New York in Washington. She has a known track record of bringing together moderates and progressives to pass progressive legislation to help communities of color, low-income families, immigrants, and more. If you'd like only the most important updates, you can opt for fewer emails here, but if you don't want to keep Yvette proudly representing Brooklyn, you can unsubscribe.
