The following statement is from Terrance “TK” Koontz of BlackTOP, in reflection and observance of this year’s Juneteenth:
“In Juneteenth is an unrelenting legacy rooted in the pursuit of Black liberation – a call to action that demands society implement transformative change to reverse damage inflicted by racial capitalism, and manifest a future where all Black people – no matter their age, gender, or nationality – can fully realize their dreams.
“Now three years into this day being recognized as a federal holiday, it speaks to the white supremacy still woven into the fabric of our nation’s institutions that right-wing officials work around the clock to undermine our inherent rights and humanity at all levels of government. Our very existence is in itself an act of resistance.
“Building the future all Black Americans deserve will require a complete overhaul of every aspect of how this country sustains itself. We must remember we have never seen the America we’ve been fighting for. May this realization restore and drive us.”
Dr. Doshie Piper, TOP Board President, added:
“Together, let us engage in dialogue, promote education, and take collective action to challenge the systemic inequities that hold our communities back. Juneteenth serves as a renewed call to unite against racial and economic injustice, forging a path toward a more equitable Texas and a nation that uplifts and empowers every Black person, regardless of their background or socioeconomic status. This is why we organize.
“On this Juneteenth, we honor the ancestors we stand on the shoulders of, acknowledge the present, and work tirelessly toward a future where race and class are no longer barriers to justice and opportunity.
“Creating a Texas and America where freedom and prosperity are accessible to all is up to us.”
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About BlackTOP
BlackTOP was built on the premise that the future of Texas rests in organizing Black folks across the state and getting US to the polls. With offices in Houston, Dallas and San Antonio, BlackTOP launched canvassing programs across multiple Texas counties to talk to, organize, and mobilize Black voters ahead of the 2022 election. For more information, visit blacktoptexas.org.