Thread by @RepBonnie

Today is the first day of #BlackHistoryMonth.

Racism is still entrenched in the fabric of American society.

I’m optimistic for a future where it isn’t. But the road to that future is a long and challenging one. (1/16)

In 1967, #MLK wrote, “The roots of racism are very deep in America. Historically, it was so acceptable in the national life that today it still only lightly burdens the conscience.”

Despite our progress as a country, Dr. King’s words ring true 55 years later. (2/16)

Our nation is still governed overwhelmingly by the white, the male and the wealthy. Our leaders in the federal government make decisions for the entire country, including those whose lived experiences are nothing like their own. (3/16)

America prides itself on being a representative democracy. However, a representative government must truly *represent* the people it serves.

As it stands now, this is not the case. (4/16)

More than 12% of our country’s population is Black.

Yet our nation’s history, we have had only two Black #SCOTUS Justices, both of whom were men.

The Supreme Court’s decisions affect EVERY American. Diverse perspectives on that bench are a must. (5/16)

The Biden Administration has made efforts to create a more representative government.

Most recently, the President has announced that he will nominate the first Black woman to the #SCOTUS. (6/16)

The racist backlash was immediate, with prominent conservatives suggesting that to be a “qualified” nominee and to be a Black woman were somehow mutually exclusive. (7/16)

To be Black — and specifically, a Black woman — in America is to be underappreciated, underestimated and underrepresented.

That will only change when our country’s institutions actually look like the people they serve. On that front, we have a long road ahead. (8/16)

In the meantime, I’m fighting alongside my fellow Black Members of Congress to pass legislation that takes the needs of the Black community seriously. (9/16)

I co-founded the @CBWGCAUCUS with @RepYvetteClarke and @RepRobinKelly. Together, we’re speaking out against the structural inequities that Black women face and fighting for a future where Black girls have the same opportunities to thrive as everyone else. (10/16)

Last year, I reintroduced the CROWN Act, which would ban discrimination based on traditionally Black hairstyles, including locs, cornrows, twists, braids, Bantu knots and Afros. Nobody should be discriminated against based on how their hair grows out of their head. (11/16)

But history has taught us that progress is never without obstruction.

Today, Jim Crow lives on through Republican efforts to suppress voting. If their war on democracy reaches its logical conclusion, we stand to lose decades of progress toward racial justice. (12/16)

^^^ THAT is why it’s more important than ever that we don’t give up. (13/16)

The history of Black America is a history of struggle. Present-day Black America is rife with struggle.

However, I’m optimistic that the future of Black America will be different. (14/16)

In 1967, Dr. King asked, “Where do we go from here?”

I have some suggestions...

I encourage the next generation of civic leaders to pick up where my generation leaves off. Advocate. Organize. Run for office! And keep the faith. (15/16)

This #BlackHistoryMonth, celebrate how far our nation has come, but acknowledge how far we need to go. And remember — Black history is not just for the month of February. Black history is American history. (16/16)