Posted on 01/31/2020 3:24:17 PM PST by ransomnote
Through bravery, perseverance, faith, and resolve — often in the face of incredible prejudice and hardship — African Americans have enhanced and advanced every aspect of American life. Their fight for equality, representation, and respect motivates us to continue working for a more promising, peaceful, and hopeful future for every American. During National African American History Month, we honor the extraordinary contributions made by African Americans throughout the history of our Republic, and we renew our commitment to liberty and justice for all.
The theme of this year’s observance, “African Americans and the Vote,” coincides with the 150th anniversary of the 15th Amendment, which gave African American men the right to vote. This Amendment to the Constitution, ratified in 1870, prohibits the government from denying or abridging a citizen’s right to vote based on “race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” Today, this guarantee is enforced primarily throughout the Voting Rights Act of 1965, an enduring legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Civil Rights movement.
This year also marks the 150th anniversary of the first African American to serve in the Congress. In 1870, Hiram Revels, a Mississippi Republican, served a 1-year term in the Senate, where he fought for justice and racial equality. During his lifetime, Senator Revels served as a military chaplain, a minister with the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and a college administrator. But it was Revels’ tenure in the Congress that truly distinguished him as a trailblazer. He made history serving our Nation in a building that had been constructed by slave laborers just a decade earlier.
My Administration has made great strides in expanding opportunity for people of all backgrounds. Over the past 2 years, the poverty and unemployment rates for African Americans have reached historic lows. Through the transformative Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, more than 8,700 distressed communities battling economic hardship have been designated Opportunity Zones, creating a path for struggling communities to unlock investment resources and create much needed jobs and community amenities. I also signed into law the historic First Step Act, which rolled back unjust provisions of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, which disproportionately harmed African American communities. The First Step Act provides inmates with opportunities for job training, education, and mentorship. We want every person leaving prison to have the tools they need to take advantage of a second chance to transform their lives and pursue the American dream after incarceration. Additionally, last December, I was proud to sign into law the groundbreaking FUTURE Act, which ensures full support for historically black colleges and universities over the next 10 years.
Our great Nation is strengthened and enriched by citizens of every race, religion, color, and creed. This month, we celebrate the cultural heritage, diverse contributions, and unbreakable spirit of African Americans. We commend the heroes, pioneers, and common Americans who tirelessly fought for — and firmly believed in — the promise of racial equality granted by our Creator, enshrined in our Constitution, and enacted into our laws. We pledge to continue to stand against the evils of bigotry, intolerance, and hatred so that we may continue in our pursuit of a more perfect Union.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim February 2020 as National African American History Month. I call upon public officials, educators, and all Americans to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fourth.
DONALD J. TRUMP
Happy quonset hut everybody! Oh, too late for that? So, when is Italian month? Dutch month? German month? Russian month? Asian/Pacific Islander month?
Of course I forgot to mention that THE MAN choose the shortest month to do it. Sure sign of more oppression.
This is my input...I declare that 90% of TV commercials shall have at least one ............
Black history is what you call rewritten history in which blacks are always the victims of whites. Not written in black history is that the Arabs controlled the slave trade, and enslaved both Africans and Europeans.
I think Black History has been largely written by lefties trying to control and divide our citizens. Slavery existed and impacted their communities so part of their history includes that tragedy and injustice. But the left has trapped many African Americans in that account as if they can’t trust the right or conservatives because we’re always pining to return to the abominations of the KKK. Perhaps with President Trump in office, African Americans will be allowed to write their own history, one filled with legitimate optimism. :)
White slaves have never been seen in America because the British Empire preferred black slaves for ease of identification. Racism resulted from assuming black were inferior as justification for slavery. It was also difficult to disprove since they were kept uneducated. But slavery in America ended over 150 years ago, at the cost of many American lives. And because of the success of the Civil Rights movements of the 50’s and 60’s, there is no more institutionalized racism in America. So enough with the victimhood.
What is an African-American?
Welp, originally I think the left did everything they could to convince Americans with family roots in Africa that they were so hated and reviled by conservatives that they would have to band together to survive and define themselves apart from the rest of the US. From there, the Byrd Democrats worked to capture the votes of that group, claiming Dems would help restrain conservatives whom would otherwise work to oppress and ultimately destroy them. Without the left and the Deep State MSM concealing the truth and fanning division, the group will be able to define themselves apart from “the narrative” and will be able to answer your question.
FAKE NEWS said that 50% of that group preferred to be called “black Americans” and the other %50 preferred the term “African Americans”. Now, I doubt there is truth in that - it was just the Dems/MSM further dividing the group so that they wouldn’t unite - easier control with division, division, division. I look forward to putting these fake divisions and strife that were artifically used to separate races, and then within races foment division, behind us. Imagine what we could do if we again became a melting pot? “The best is yet to come.” Donald. J. Trump
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.