The celebration of Juneteenth

‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ {NAME}, In 1863, President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, ending slavery in the United States. But it wasn’t until two years later, on June 19, 1865, that the last of America’s enslaved people learned they were free. Now, we commemorate this important anniversary as a day of independence and celebration for Black Americans. It’s a celebration of strength, community, Black excellence and progress. But it’s also a reminder of how far we have to go to achieve true justice and freedom for all Black Americans. Over 200 years ago, my enslaved ancestors were laboring in the soil of rural Arkansas. Fast forward to the 1940s and my grandpa, with his third grade education, was driving a truck he couldn’t afford to own. But jump to the 1980s and he was helping me set up my own businesses. He instilled in me lessons of entrepreneurship and hard work. Today, Black Americans continue to be impacted by gaps in access to quality education, disparities in the healthcare system, a criminal justice system fraught with discrimination, and systematic voter suppression. Across the country, including right here in Arkansas, Black communities have been subject to divestment, redlining, unfair voting restrictions, and outdated racist business practices. Racism is literally woven into the fabric of our country, and the symptoms of slavery are still alive and well. The time for remedy came a long time ago, and it’s going to take all of us to build a society that truly works for all. But here’s the thing, {NAME}: When our economy, democracy, and our social systems work for everyone, we all win. So this Juneteenth, I hope you’ll join me in committing to taking action. Whether that means donating to a Black-owned nonprofit organization, joining in a community event, shopping at a Black-owned business, or learning about the history of racism and white supremacy in this country, do something to advance racial progress today. Thank you for taking action today, Chris Jones We believe that emails are the best way for our campaign to stay in touch with supporters like you. But if you'd like to receive fewer emails, [click here](. If you'd like to support our campaign, you can click below to make a donation. [$5]( [$15]( [$25]( Paid for by The Committee to Elect Chris Jones 815 Technology Drive | P.O. Box 242046 | Little Rock, AR 72223-999 | United States mailto:info@chrisforgovernor.com If you’d like to remove yourself from our list, please click [unsubscribe](.