Dear Friends,
As we commemorate Juneteenth, we reflect on the profound legacy of Black People or African Americans who endured the horrors of slavery and fought relentlessly for their freedom. The persistent push for justice by Black people and their allies stands as a testament to a reminder of our collective responsibility to ensure that every American, no matter the color of their skin or their background, is treated equally and fairly in this country.
Juneteenth marks June 19, 1865, when enslaved people in Texas were informed of their freedom, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was passed. As formerly enslaved Black people began to spread the word from Galveston throughout the state of Texas, it became clear that it was not the end of the struggle for liberation but a milestone in a much longer journey.
In Precinct One (our community), the newly freed Black people settled in “Freedman’s Town,” which later became known as the historic Fourth Ward, and they began to build a more equitable society where they could access education, own businesses, and pursue their dreams.
Today, the immediate barriers that the formerly enslaved faced are no more, but new challenges threaten the hard-fought victories of the past and actually resemble similar struggles.
Formerly enslaved people had to continue to fight, organize, agitate, and advocate after achieving so-called "freedom" from slavery as they faced similar conditions under sharecropping and segregation post-emancipation. After over a century of resiliency and constant struggle for the promise of freedom, the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Act were signed into law. The struggle didn’t stop there and has continued in new forms.
Our rights are once again under siege, hidden under the guise of "states' rights" and "voter integrity." In Texas, the ability to receive a quality education, earn a living wage, vote freely without obstruction, receive a Guaranteed Income to strengthen families, access quality healthcare and affordable housing are all under attack.
Juneteenth is a day of reflection and resolve. It is a time to honor those who came before and recommit ourselves to the work ahead. As we celebrate the resilience and strength of those who fought for freedom, we step up to continue their legacy.
Let us stay resolute in our pursuit of reducing racial and economic disparities, ensuring that every individual has equitable access to quality education and jobs, housing, food, and healthcare. Our fight for justice, equality, and true democracy is far from over.
In solidarity,
Rodney Ellis