On Wednesday, June 16, the U.S. House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly, 415-14, in favor of making June 19 a national holiday that commemorates the end of slavery. Many African Americans think of it as their 4th of July, their Independence Day. We celebrate together because none of us are free until all of us are free. The 100-member Senate voted unanimously in favor of it. When does the U.S. Senate vote unanimously on anything?
Among the 435 members of the House of Representatives, only 14 voted against it, among them our representative, Doug LaMalfa. In an article published Thursday, June 17, The New York Times wrote, “Mr. LaMalfa has represented rural northeastern California since 2013. His office did not respond to a request for comment.”
For what reason could Mr. LaMalfa stand alone on the sidelines protesting a national holiday of this importance and significance? Resisting progress and dishonoring the wishes of our African American brothers and sisters, doesn’t represent me and I don’t think represents many of this paper’s readers. It’s time for someone else to represent us, someone who not only is in keeping with who we are, but more importantly, with who we want to be.
— Brian Anthony Kraemer, Chico