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.
.jpg)
