February marks the beginning of a historic time that recognizes black Americans’ contributions to our nation’s great story. While we dedicate this month as Black History Month, the black community’s impact on America is appreciated and recognized endlessly.
As one of three black Republicans in Congress and the first black American to represent my district, my rise from inner-city Brooklyn to the halls of Congress is living proof of our great nation’s promise. Although the founding of our constitutional republic did not live up to the words of our founding documents, we have progressed as a nation to honor these sacred words: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
America’s storied history is woven together by the significant contributions of the black community. From the western shores of Africa to the shores of America, through the atrocity of slavery and the continued suppression during segregation and Jim Crow, our history, while at times very dark and tumultuous, represents the grit and resilience embodied by generations of black Americans.
We can celebrate Black History Month today because of the fortitude and fearless conviction of patriots such as Sojourner Truth, who risked her life to recruit black troops for the Union Army, and through the powerful words of W.E.B Du Bois. As black Americans continued to fight for their rights, it was the teachings and leadership of the “First Lady of the Struggle,” Mary McLeod Bethune, that educated and empowered countless black Americans.
While black athletes fought to play on a level playing field in professional sports, it was the perseverance of Jackie Robinson that made it a reality. When blacks faced unequal justice under the law for decades, it took the will of Associate Justice Clarence Thomas, a descendant of slaves, to rise and become only the second black man ever to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.
As a nation, we have come so far, but that does not mean our work is finished. As an elected official, I continue to strive to enhance and empower my community with policies that end generational poverty and bring forth actions that enable, spur, and encourage a pathway to the American Dream.
By prioritizing access to capital initiatives, criminal justice reform, school choice, standing up for life, encouraging fathers in the home, and economic freedom, the black community can and will reach its highest potential. During Black History Month, we pay homage to those who dedicated their lives to advancing the lives of black Americans and reaffirm our commitment to remaining the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Byron Donalds represents Florida’s 19th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
