Celebrating Juneteenth
Today, we celebrate Juneteenth – the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure all enslaved people were freed. The troops’ arrival came a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.
As our state and our nation progresses, there is still much to learn from Juneteenth. By establishing Juneteenth as an official state holiday in Michigan, we show our commitment to the ongoing effort to expand racial justice and equity and further promote the commemoration of when all slaves heard the news that they were freed. We celebrate today, but never forget how vital Black faith, optimism and resilience have been in this fight.
With the celebrations of this holiday comes a stark reminder that there is much more work to be done to ensure every Michigander, and all Americans, have equal rights.
CROWN Act signed into Law
I am proud to share that Gov. Whitmer signed the Michigan Crown Act into law on Thursday, June 15. Hair discrimination is an unacceptable reality for many Michiganders, particularly in the Black community. A 2019 study by Dove showed one in five Black women working in office or sales settings have said they had to alter their natural hair. The study also found Black students are far more likely to be suspended for dress code or hair violations. We cannot, and will not, continue like this.
For years, I re-introduced the CROWN Act legislation and advocated for an end to this thinly veiled racism. With the enactment of Senate Bill 90, we are uplifting the voices and stories of countless men, women, and children who have faced barriers simply because of how their natural hair grows or was styled.
The CROWN Act is another way for us to ensure that all Michiganders, regardless of race, have an equal seat at the table. There is more work to be done, and my colleagues and I are not going to stop now.