John,

Each year during Black History Month, I am proud
to celebrate the invaluable contributions Black Americans have
made to our nation’s history and identity.

It is a time of deep reflection and I think of
the long journey toward equality that we are still on. I also
think about how each step of the way, Black Americans have led
the way.

When our country plunged into a civil war over
the preservation of slavey, it is estimated that nearly 200,000
Black men served in the armed forces, a contribution without which the
Union would not have won the war.

As the country moved from the Civil War, and the
South entered Jim Crow, an era in which Black Americans were
systematically excluded from the political process, viciously
persecuted for speaking their mind, and education opportunities
were denied, we nonetheless persevered.

We never stopped speaking our minds, kept
demanding our right to vote, and created our own churches,
businesses and schools.

Despite Jim Crow, Black people led the way
toward ending the South’s injustice and paved the way for
movements later led by our brothers and sisters of Latino, Native
American, and Asian heritage.

No matter what obstacle was thrown our way
throughout our history, we have persevered through much hardship
and prejudice and enriched our nation’s fabric, never giving up,
and always showing up to the ballot box.

But despite much progress and achievements, it’s
clear that our country still has much work to do.

Our right to vote continues to be under attack.
Just last year, Georgian and Texas Republicans passed some of the
most restrictive voter suppression bills in the country,
blatantly targeting Black folks throughout their states.

The Supreme Court continues to hollow out the
Voting Rights Act, gutting it of important provisions aimed at
keeping states with a discriminatory history in check. And just a
few weeks ago, the Court upheld maps that were clearly
discriminatory of the Black electorate.

And so the work continues. Every day, I reflect
on what my friend and mentor Congressman John Lewis taught us
all: ‘Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and redeem the soul
of America,’ which is to say, vote always.

You’re never too young to make a difference,
always speak truth to power, always be at the table fighting
injustice (or pull up a folding chair like Shirley Chisholm
said), and never give up.

I thank you for reading my words on what Black
History Month means to me. I hope you will carry them with you
and continue the fight for equality.

Hank Johnson (he/him)

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Congressman Hank Johnson is a former defense attorney,
DeKalb County commissioner, small business owner, and magistrate
judge who now serves in Congress as a champion for the middle
class.

This email was sent to [email protected]
because we want to keep you fully informed about Hank's
persistent work toward better healthcare, gun safety reform,
quality education, and well-paying jobs.

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Hank Johnson for Congress
4153 Flat Shoals Pkwy
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Building C, 2nd Fl.
Decatur GA 30034 United States


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