My Mom is an immigrant who had to earn her citizenship. I always felt blessed that, because I was born in Texas, I was born a citizen, with all the rights that entails. That’s why it’s so unfathomable to me that slaves in Texas did not know they were free for 2.5 years. This is what Juneteenth commemorates, the notification of their freedom. The freedom and rights that were granted to me the day I was born in Texas were earned by the blood, sweat, and tears of so many who came before me. Opal Lee, “The Grandmother of Juneteenth”, walked 300 miles across several states at the age of 89 to advocate making Juneteenth a national holiday. She kept the tradition of walking several miles going every year. And 5 years later, she got her wish. I love that our future children will have a federal holiday to celebrate when those beautiful people who look like them, finally became free in this country. And yes, “freedom” is still a journey we are on but I am grateful for the opportunity to celebrate when that journey could finally begin. Happy Juneteenth,family. ❤️🖤💚