John,
Juneteenth represents more than the emancipation of those enslaved. It is a declaration of dignity, identity, and liberation — a celebration of freedom we claimed for ourselves.
When I say “We Are the Dream,” we are honoring the legacies of our grandparents, great-grandparents, and ancestors who labored in kitchens and fields, factories and basements — not only to survive, but to clear a path for something greater. My grandparents held jobs in service, earned high school diplomas as their highest formal achievement, and entered the workforce immediately to support their families. Their sacrifices laid the foundation for who I am today. I am a product of that legacy, holding three degrees and currently pursuing a fourth. It’s an achievement my grandparents could never have imagined, but one they made possible.
We are the dream realized, yet still unfolding. But celebration alone isn’t enough. Freedom must be protected and activated through civic engagement. Voting in local elections is one of the most direct ways we can speak up for our neighborhoods. Our local elected officials walk the same streets we do, witness the same challenges, and must carry our voices into every room where decisions are made. Representation is vital, but it means little without transformation. When we vote, we don’t just cast ballots — we cast visions of the future. We fight for justice not only for ourselves, but for the generations yet to come.
My fight for freedom is for my 10-year-old granddaughter. Justice is the bridge to her future, and freedom means making sure real opportunities are waiting on the other side. She deserves a world where her potential is nurtured.
This Juneteenth, we mark freedom in the face of continued obstacles and systemic failures. If you believe in fighting for a democracy that lives up to its promise, chip in $19 today. >>>
