North Cook News

EVANSTON – On June 19, U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), a Chief Deputy Whip and Ranking Member of the Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, released the following statement commemorating Juneteenth National Independence Day.

“Juneteenth National Independence Day is a time for celebration, reflection, and action. On June 19 marks 158 years since the day the last group of enslaved Black people in the United States learned they were free. I am proud to have been able to vote to make this important day a federal holiday, and to see President Biden sign it into law in 2021. I am also proud that my home state of Illinois made Juneteenth a day off for all state employees and a school holiday.

“Despite the progress we have made, Black Americans are bound by the intergenerational trauma of slavery, systemic racism, and right-wing extremist attacks. The inequities continue to play out in our health, education, and justice systems. Cruel and excessive police violence, unfair prison sentencing, voter suppression, health care deserts, and student achievement gaps are all too common. We must work together to address these inequities and create a more fair and just society for all.

“Black history is American history, and it should not be ignored, morphed, nor hidden as the right-wing extremists are attempting to do through legal means such as banning books and halting affirmative action programs.

“While freedom has been delayed for Black Americans, it can no longer be deferred. I will continue to use my platform to fight for an equitable nation.”

Original source can be found here.