This Juneteenth: Celebrate, then legislate
This Juneteenth: Celebrate, then legislate
Juneteenth — also known as Freedom Day — marks the day on June 19, 1865, when enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas, learned about their freedom
Juneteenth — also known as Freedom Day — marks the day on June 19, 1865, when enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas, learned about their freedom
more than two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863.
more than two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863.
New Jersey is celebrating Juneteenth as a state holiday this year for the second time. It’s an important gesture
New Jersey is celebrating Juneteenth as a state holiday this year for the second time. It’s an important gesture
and the celebrations are inspiring. Symbolism matters.
and the celebrations are inspiring. Symbolism matters.
But symbolism is not nearly enough.
In order to make the promise of freedom full and real
But symbolism is not nearly enough.
In order to make the promise of freedom full and real
meaningful investment and policy must accompany our proclamations. That is as true today as it was a century and a half ago.
meaningful investment and policy must accompany our proclamations. That is as true today as it was a century and a half ago.
Sadly, even two years after our streets were bursting with cries for racial justice, New Jersey has not stepped up to the plate.
Sadly, even two years after our streets were bursting with cries for racial justice, New Jersey has not stepped up to the plate.
Despite being a northern state known for its progressivism, the Garden State suffers from extraordinary racial disparities. Our racial wealth gap is one of the worst in America,
Despite being a northern state known for its progressivism, the Garden State suffers from extraordinary racial disparities. Our racial wealth gap is one of the worst in America,
as are our racial disparities relating to incarceration, infant mortality, and education.
as are our racial disparities relating to incarceration, infant mortality, and education.
These gaps can be filled with strategic investments – investments that say we truly believe in freedom realized, not just proclaimed
These gaps can be filled with strategic investments – investments that say we truly believe in freedom realized, not just proclaimed
Yet there are several bills pending in our state legislature lacking legislators’ political will and courage for passage.
We must do better.
Yet there are several bills pending in our state legislature lacking legislators’ political will and courage for passage.
We must do better.
When it comes to policing, the legislature can pass legislation (S265/A2431) to completely ban chokeholds like the one that killed George Floyd
When it comes to policing, the legislature can pass legislation (S265/A2431) to completely ban chokeholds like the one that killed George Floyd
nd to establish civilian review boards (A1515) to create accountability in law enforcement.
nd to establish civilian review boards (A1515) to create accountability in law enforcement.
To expand our democracy at a time when it is on life support across the nation, New Jersey can pass pending legislation (A1966/S247) to establish same-day voter registration — the simple,
To expand our democracy at a time when it is on life support across the nation, New Jersey can pass pending legislation (A1966/S247) to establish same-day voter registration — the simple,
secure ability to register and vote on the same day that would prevent the voter disenfranchisement that occurs at each election.
secure ability to register and vote on the same day that would prevent the voter disenfranchisement that occurs at each election.
The incomparable Paul McCartney at 80
The incomparable Paul McCartney at 80
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