John,

On this day 156 years ago, word of slavery’s abolition in the United States reached Galveston, Texas, and a tradition started. Today we call this celebration Juneteenth.

But we must remember that our nation continues to struggle with basic rights and opportunity for Black Americans. We’re still battling the shameful legacies of slavery, Jim Crow, housing segregation, voter suppression, the wealth gap, life expectancy and institutional racism.

This is a pivotal moment in our nation’s history, and we must take action. Americans all across this nation have stood up and demanded change from their leaders — they’ve called on us to reimagine policing in America and to root out systemic racism in housing, public education, health care, and more.

Let’s take that movement and build an America whose laws reflect the undeniable truth that Black Lives Matter.

While today is a celebration of Black liberation, we must also recognize the unique inequities that Black Americans face in our nation, and recommit ourselves to taking action together. The road ahead will not be easy, but I know a better world is possible. I’m fighting for it — will you join me?

— Carolyn Maloney