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Friend,
On this day in 1865, word finally made it to Black Americans still in bondage in Texas that they were free, and that they had been since the Emancipation Proclamation was issued over two years earlier.
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159 years later, Americans of all colors now celebrate, honor, and reflect on this moment as Juneteenth National Independence Day.
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Believe it or not, Florida was one of the first states to commemorate Juneteenth as a day of observance back in 1991.
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But right now, I’m not sure whether our Republican leaders would allow the true reason for this federal holiday to be properly taught in school — and that’s sickening, friend.
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What’s more — due to our extremist GOP leaders' efforts to:
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- Censor or entirely exclude Black people and history from American history in our public education system
- Sign various anti-civil rights and voting rights measures into law
- Criminalize protests
- Dismantle diversity and inclusion measures in the public sphere
- Blatantly devalue and marginalize the contributions of and challenges faced by Black Americans and other marginalized communities, and more
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— the NAACP has issued a travel advisory to Black Americans and other marginalized groups for Florida. The sad truth that anyone would have to worry about safely traveling to my home state is wholly unacceptable.
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And the fact that Florida has the second largest Black population among all 50 states — and yet some of the worst racial disparities in health outcomes, maternal and infant mortality rates, household incomes, home ownership, university enrollment, and incarceration rates, which have only worsened since Rick Scott was elected governor in 2010 — is downright reprehensible.
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All of this reflects the backward direction that both Ron DeSantis and his predecessor, Rick Scott, have steered Florida in across their tenures.
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It's one of the reasons why my campaign slogan is ya no más: Because enough is enough.
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As Florida's next senator, I will fight to grow opportunities for Black-owned small businesses, expand voting rights, and combat our state's skyrocketing Black maternal mortality rates. Enough is enough.
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I'll fight for all Floridians to enjoy the liberty, justice, and equal opportunities promised by the American Dream. Enough is enough.
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And I'll never stop fighting back against the hate-fueled regime that's taken over the Sunshine State and worked tirelessly to crack down on the health, history, and freedoms of our Black community members. Enough is enough.
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We must stand strong in our fight for justice. Democracy will not die on our watch, and together this November, we will set Florida back on the path of prosperity and justice for all our communities. Until then, I am overjoyed to join the celebration of one of our nation's greatest moments of liberation.
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Happy Juneteenth.
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In solidarity,
Debbie
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