IBLC: 160 years of Juneteenth, 250 years of Black history

Today, Black Americans throughout the country are celebrating Juneteenth, commemorating the anniversary of the last enslaved African Americans in Texas learning of their freedom years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.

State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago), chair of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC), issued the following statement:

"While it hasn't always been as widespread a celebration as it is today, African Americans have recognized Juneteenth as a day of freedom, faith and resilience for 160 years. Juneteenth is a stark reminder that we aren't free until we're all free. While it's a day to celebrate, it's also a day to reflect and honor those who never saw freedom and to find ways to recognize the tragedies and celebrate the joys of Black Americans' history in the United States.

"This is especially important this year. As the country prepares to honor the 250th anniversary of America, I know many people are struggling to feel celebratory with the state of our nation. It's easy to feel defeated when we're watching our nation regress so much in terms of civil liberties and our protections of marginalized people. This Juneteenth, it's worth recognizing that African Americans throughout the last 250 years have fought to improve the United States for themselves, their families and future generations, and now, we must continue the work. It's never an easy task, but it is a necessary one to ensure we leave behind a stronger nation than we inherited."