Today we commemorate June 19, 1865, the day when Union soldiers arrived in Texas and announced that all enslaved people were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was declared.
It’s a day of celebration for the liberation of Black Americans. But Juneteenth is not simply a celebration to me. It is a heavy day as well. It’s heavy because of the truth it exposes, and because the freedom we were promised is still not fully in reach.
It’s clear that our country is still struggling to address its history of systemic racism. From the recent massacre in Buffalo, to the cycle of police violence that’s taken away the lives of our neighbors like Breonna Taylor — there are constant reminders of the challenges we face. We’re still struggling to even get our leaders to agree that heinous acts like lynching should be a crime.
I don’t say all of this to paint a cynical picture. I say this because I want to share with you why I’m hopeful for the future.
I’ve spent countless days standing for justice with my neighbors in Kentucky. I stood next to my brothers and sisters in Louisville as we were marching for Breonna Taylor, David McAtee, George Floyd, and so many other Black Americans who have been killed by the agencies that we pay to protect us.
There were moments it felt like our leaders couldn’t care less — that change was out of reach.
But in the face of so much pain, we kept pushing. We kept showing up. We kept building community. We kept standing for justice. We kept saying Breonna Taylor’s name.
I’ve witnessed Kentuckians from all walks of life come together, day after day, to organize. Together, we demanded change to save Black lives and made sure that the City of Louisville passed Breonna’s Law and banned no-knock warrants.
You are the reason why I know change is possible in Kentucky.
Recently, I made a video about the family members I’ve lost to lynching in response to Rand’s vote to block lynching from being a federal hate crime.
A lot of folks told me this video would be controversial. Too jarring. Especially in a “red state” like Kentucky.
Instead we received an overwhelming response of love and support. It was proof of the support we have in building our movement. And I can’t wait to keep proving everyone wrong who claims that Kentucky isn’t ready for change.
I believe in us. Because ultimately, we’re fighting because we just want to be okay, and we just want to take care of our families. That’s what all of this is about, and it’s why we’re pulling on the long, moral arc of the universe towards justice.
Thank you,
Charles
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