We’re still marching, John. White supremacy, hatred, and racism continue to rear their ugly heads in many parts of our society; the latest fight? Against accurate history.

Republicans across the country are launching attacks against thought and reason — just because it doesn’t align with the American story they want to tell and desperately believe, claiming it creates an uncomfortable environment for students. What they fail to understand is that that not only does whitewashing slavery and racism create an uncomfortable environment for Black students, it robs students of all backgrounds of the education they deserve.

One of the key benefits of teaching history is that each generation can learn from the mistakes of the past and avoid them in the future. Slavery is an ugly stain on this country’s history, but unfortunately, racial disparities remain today. The institutional, systemic racism in our healthcare, criminal justice, and academic systems that harms the Black community today stems all the way back to the tragedy of slavery in America.

Attempting to paper over this country’s faults helps no one. White students who do not face the racism that their Black peers do deserve to learn about America’s history, so they can grow up and be a part of the solution. We must demand better from our elected officials, and teaching our whole history is a crucial step towards a more just future.

As I meditate on the realities of America today, I wanted to thank you for standing with me in our mission toward truth and justice. Happy Juneteenth!

— Hank Johnson