Learn about racism and how to stop it on Juneteenth

Racism is a huge worldwide topic that many people don’t believe in, even after the events that occurred last year. We decided to send this out in celebration of Juneteenth, on June 19, and to address racism and strategies to combat it.

Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in the U.S. Juneteenth was just designated our 12th federal holiday.

In Iowa’s consciousness of racism is taking a very different direction. Gov. Kim Reynolds signed HF 802 on June 8 to restrict diversity training in Iowa. Many Iowans are afraid that this will have a negative impact on employees and students.

For many in our state, there is skepticism that systemic racism is real. Numbers tell a different story. One in four children report being victims of discrimination during a school year. A 2013-2017 study found that white people received higher quality health care than Hispanics, Blacks, and Native American patients. On average, Blacks receive prison sentences that are nearly 20 percent longer than whites convicted of the same crime.

In recognition of Juneteenth, here are three ways to celebrate:

Read and learn about Juneteenth with your family.

Write your legislators and tell them to repeal HF 802.

Join the American Civil Liberties Union.

“Defeating racism, tribalism, intolerance and all forms of discrimination will liberate us all, victim and perpetrator alike.” — Ban Ki-moon

We must learn all the ways racism impacts humanity and how we can stop it. Stand up to do what is right.

Benny Pierce

Seventh grade ICCSD SEJH

Jack Pedron

Ninth Grade CRCSD Washington High School