ON JUNE 19, WE COMMEMORATE THE OFFICIAL FREEING OF THE LAST ENSLAVED BLACK PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES. THIS IS A DAY OF PROFOUND MEANING TO BLACK WORKERS, AS IT SHOULD BE TO ALL WORKING PEOPLE WHO CHERISH AND DEFEND THE FREEDOM TO LIVE OUR OWN LIVES, SPEAK WITH OUR OWN VOICES AND ENJOY THE FRUITS OF OUR LABOR. JUNETEENTH REMINDS US THAT WE ARE INDEPENDENT OF THOSE WHO HIRE US, WHO SEEK TO CONTROL US AND WHO VIEW US AS OBJECTS WITH COSTS INSTEAD OF AS HUMAN BEINGS WITH INHERENT DIGNITY AND WORTH.
