This is a reflection piece by HIRC Summer Intern Alma Estefani Martinez Ramirez
Today marks a historic day: June 19th is known as Juneteenth, which memorializes the day slavery ended in the United States in June 19, 1865. On this day, Texas was officially the last state liberated from slavery, making the United States free from slavery throughout the country.
Today, let’s highlight the efforts of a courageous and brave Black woman who fought for the freedom of slaves. This women is known as Harriet Tubman, who was a slave herself but fled and regained her autonomy. She lived from 1820-1913 and used her life to free slaves through the Underground Railroad. She was known as the “Moses of her people” as she led people to freedom and safety. Today, we should remember all the lives she saved through her fearless acts of bravery and exposing her to risk of death and capture each and every day she embarked on a mission to extract slaves from slavery.
Learn more about the life of Harriet Tubman at http://www.harriet-tubman.org/timeline/
Now, more than ever, there’s a reason to remember the importance of our Black community in the United States. In May 2020, the life of George Floyd was stolen by the unlawful acts of four police officers who used excessive force on an unarmed Black man in Minneapolis, Minnesota. George Floyd was one among thousands of others killed due to police brutality and systemic racism against Black people. Every Black person has the same value as any human being, regardless of their skin color.
(Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) Learn more about how to get involved in the George Floyd movement at https://www.innocenceproject.org/how-to-help-justice-george-floyd/
Let’s never forget the fight for equality, in all aspects of life, for our Black community in the United States, which continues right now in the 21st Century.
Racism will not be tolerated against our Black community, here in the United States but also all around the world.
Inequality will not be tolerated against our Black community, here in the United States but also all around the world.
Injustice will not be tolerated against our Black community, here in the United States but also all around the world.
Learn more about Black Lives Matter at https://blacklivesmatter.com/what-we-believe/
Today, the Black community celebrates their independence but, at the same time, engages in continuous struggle for freedom in the United States. Alongside, every person in America should celebrate their Black friends, neighbors, and family and stand with them in their struggle against racism and for equality and justice for all.