'The Ghosts of Slavery Live On' - A Juneteenth Message from Countable Founder Bart Myers

Today, Juneteenth, marks the end of slavery in our country. On June 19, 1865, the last remaining enslaved Americans were emancipated. Yet, this painful chapter of our history isn't a relic of the past. The atrocious stain of slavery still remains with us, haunting our present with institutionalized racism and discriminatory policies—it is a somber legacy that remains real and terrifying for so many Americans.

For 246 years, Africans were torn from their communities, homes, and loved ones to be forcibly transported to the United States. Their fate? To be sold as commodities, forced into grueling labor until death, their families a distant, heart-wrenching memory. And the story did not end with the abolition of slavery. Every freed slave had to start from scratch, with no property, education, inheritance, or support. They followed the American Dream, heroically overcoming such staggering obstacles. Their objective wasn't to seek retribution; it was to carve out their existence.

But the country did not welcome them with open arms. Racism was rampant, and the ghosts of slavery lived on through segregation and Jim Crow laws. African Americans were second-class citizens, forced into separate schools, buses, water fountains. The promise of the American Dream, symbolized by economic opportunity, remained elusive due to widespread job discrimination.

Despite this, heroes rose to fight for freedom and justice. People like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Thurgood Marshall, and the Little Rock Nine—along with countless other unsung heroes—fought for the right to be treated as equal Americans. Their collective efforts culminated in the eradication of segregation and the inception of the Civil Rights Act.

This momentous achievement occurred 60 years ago, in 1964—that's less than three generations.

Fast-forward to 2024, and it's clear that while we've made significant strides since the Civil Rights Act, much remains to be addressed.

The realities of being African American in this country are a stark reminder of the disparities that persist. Compared to their peers, Black people face higher likelihoods of arrest, falling ill, not completing college, and earning less. Most alarmingly, they remain the demographic most susceptible to fatal encounters with police. The echoes of slavery persist in the prison-industrial complex, and in our housing, education, and law enforcement systems that perpetuate racist actions and policies.

As a father, I can’t even imagine the very real fear that African American parents face every day, dreading the thought that their children could be the next to fall victim to an unjust system. The fear is palpable, substantiated by too many tragic incidents. And it’s not just the fear that is real, but the systemic racism on which our country was built. 

This is not right. This must stop. We deserve better. We need to raise our voices and bring about a change. Yes, it's going to be tough, but we can do this together. 

As we step up, so must our leaders.

Congress successfully amended the Constitution with the 13th Amendment in 1865, abolishing slavery. They legislated the Civil Rights Act in 1964. As our nation finds itself amidst another wave of civil rights protests triggered by police-related fatalities of African Americans, it's time for our leaders to act once more. Police reform, voting rights, and equal rights are being debated in Congress right now, but we need to make sure it's real change that everyone can get behind. Your elected representatives must hear your voice. They must realize that your vote in upcoming elections hinges on their decisive action. 

Call your representatives, let them know you care, and demand real action. June 19th is the perfect opportunity to honor the legacy of those who came before us by taking action today.

This isn't about politics. It's about humanity. If you love your children, you must demand action - on behalf of every parent - to protect them.

To a more-perfect union and justice for all,

Bart Myers