FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM JUNE 24, 2021 • THE QUEENS COURIER 55
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So much to learn
I had considered myself an
educated person of American
history until this week, when
I learned the history and meaningfulness
of Juneteenth.
The new federal holiday
— which was unanimously
approved by the U.S. Senate
— commemorates the emancipation
of enslaved African
Americans.
As President Biden signed
the Juneteenth National
Independence Day Act into
law last week, he eloquently said
Juneteenth is “a day in which
we remember the moral stain,
the terrible toll that slavery took
on the country and continues
to take — what I’ve long called
‘America’s original sin.’”
It was a bipartisan decision
borne out of the vision of
94-year-old Opal Lee, whom
President Biden described
as “a daughter of Texas and
grandmother of the movement
to make Juneteenth a federal
holiday.”
Th e last enslaved people were
emancipated in Texas on June,
19, 1865 — a historic day on
many levels. Juneteenth is a time
to remember and celebrate that
moment in our history.
Opal Lee’s eff ort proved that
the power of perseverance and
vision can drive change.
Ironically, another powerful,
determined woman also made
history last weekend.
I was invited to the opening of
the new Southampton African
American Museum, on the busy
North Sea Road.
Th e journey to that day took 16
years of devoted, persistent pursuit
and the catalyst behind its
completion is Brenda Simmons,
who worked tirelessly to see
her dream come true.
Th e site of the museum
was originally purchased
for $10 by a
descendant of slaves.
Th e property was used
as a barber shop and
beauty salon in the
1950s and became a
gathering place for the
community.
Now, that space has
been transformed into
a diff erent kind of
gathering place, one
for us all to learn
about the journey
from slavery.
As the president said at the
bill signing, “Great nations
don’t ignore their most painful
moments. Th ey don’t ignore
those moments of the past. Th ey
embrace them. Great nations
don’t walk away. We come to
terms with the mistakes we
made. And in remembering
those moments, we begin to
heal and grow stronger.” What
powerful words!
With persistence and passion,
Brenda Simmons and Opal Lee
never lost sight of their missions
and achieved their goals!
INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE
Mayor Bill de Blasio recently
announced that, under the
Juneteenth Economic Justice
Plan, the city will promote the
education and career success of
Black and low-income
students by providing
over
2,800 four-year
CUNY ACE
model scholarships
valued
at $4,000
per year.
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!
The bonding, seen here with Morgan and Sloane,
is what it’s all about!
The investment
will help cover
gaps in fi nancial aid,
books, transportation
and advising for eligible students
and will help students
gain technical skills, academic
credit or paid internships,
work experience, career
preparation support and
engagement with the community,
and STEM-focused
career placement opportunities.
“To begin to repair harms
of the past, New York City is
investing in the future and
building generational wealth,”
the mayor said.
Remembering and learning
from past mistakes is what
makes us take action so we don’t
repeat those mistakes.
Th at’s why we are a great
nation!
Photo by Carlos Barria/REUTERS
Opal Lee (second from l.), 94, at the president’s side as he prepares to sign the
Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law.
Photo by Hailey Burling
Brenda Simmons at the
opening of the Southampton
African American Museum.
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