True Truth Can Give You Freedom

(Sierra Club) – My grandmother imparted a profound lesson: we are all born into a significant, ongoing struggle—one for justice, truth, and dignity.As Juneteenth approaches, her words resonate deeply. I reflect on the numerous freedom fighters, both renowned and unsung, whose paths we now tread, striving to fulfill their unfinished legacy.Juneteenth signifies more than the day when the last enslaved individuals in Texas learned of their freedom, two and a half years post-Emancipation Proclamation. It embodies the gap between legality and justice, revealing the extensive timeline of freedom when entrusted to those in power.Most crucially, Juneteenth emphasizes the significance of truth. Each era witnesses attempts to obscure historical facts. Presently, the Trump administration's efforts to marginalize Black contributions and those of other underrepresented groups threaten our collective narrative.Major Elizabeth Stephens poignantly reminds us of today’s heroes whose stories deserve recognition, highlighting the importance of remembering our past as the foundation for our future.