This weekend has been very special to many because the celebration of Juneteenth brings back precious memories of growing up Black in America:
- Struggles of our Black great-grandparents whose suffering finally gained freedom for us during slavery
- The momentum of the Civil Rights Movement of the 50’s and 60’s with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the helm
- The signing of the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Bill in the mid-60’s by President Lyndon B. Johnson
- Affirmative Action in the early 70’s
- The Martin Luther King National Holiday in the mid-80’s
- The election of Barack Obama as the first Black President in 2008
- The marches around the world after the death of George Floyd in 2020
- and in 2021, Juneteenth itself becoming a National Holiday.
Personally, I love Juneteenth because the celebration brings me closer to both of my deceased parents who taught me the real meaning of what it is to be black; brings me closer to my friends who appreciate and respect me for my blackness; and brings me closer to the times we live in – times that need strong black voices, like mine, to lead us into a better, more inclusive future.
State Representative Ruth Ann Gaines of Des Moines serves Iowa’s 32nd House District and is the Chair of the Legislative Black Caucus. Before being elected to the legislature, Rep. Gaines taught for 40 years at East High School, and has recently finished up her 50th year teaching at DMACC. She is the recipient of many awards, including: • 2020 Iowa Democratic Party’s We The People Award as a Member of Black Caucus • 2020 Progress Iowa’s Harkin Hero Award as a Member of Black Caucus