I have asked myself the question a million times: What can I do or what can I say that will loose the chains of bondage we are still in today that keeps us from knowing the awe inspiring African people who were enslaved in this country?
What can I do or what can I say that will in the strongest terms possible condemn the evilness of slavery and yet in the same breath allow us to enthusiastically embrace, and appreciate the life stories and contributions of the beautiful human beings who happened to be labeled slaves, with our deepest gratitude and respect.
What can I do or what can I say that will encourage you to see what I see, that the slaves are heroes too, just like the pioneers and our founding fathers. It took all of them together as brothers and sisters, Black and White, at the price of their own blood to ensure the birth of this great nation. We are the beneficiaries of their back breaking work and the continuing call to conscience of the Civil Rights Movement years after slavery ended.
Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are our birth rights as Americans. It is our choice what we do with this gift and it is also our choice where we go from here. History matters. Black lives have always mattered.
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