Our diversity is our strength ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ [link removed] [[link removed]]Dear John,
February is Black History Month, which is an important time to recognize that Black History is an integral part of American history, and especially Miami history.
I read an incredible book this year called Black Miami in the Twentieth Century [[link removed]] , written by Dr. Marvin Dunn who is a professor at my alma mater, Florida International University.
I learned so much about the history and culture of my home through this essential book – from the founding of Miami to the civil rights movement, desegregation, immigration, and all of the black pioneers who shaped and influenced our Miami community.
When I finished this book, I realized that most of what I learned about the place I grew up in was not taught to me in school. Yes, some of our history is uncomfortable to sit with, but generations of Miamians have lived through the words we now read about in the same books that certain elected leaders across this state are trying to ban.
And what we must never lose sight of is that in order to create a better future, we must allow ourselves to feel uncomfortable in order to learn from our past.
This month, let’s all celebrate by learning about the incredible achievements and contributions of the Black community. I encourage you to check out Miami-Dade County’s Celebration of Black History, which can direct you to local events and programs that spotlight how the Black community shaped South Florida. [[link removed]]
We cannot honor Black History Month for 28 days while ignoring the reality of our past and present. Let’s spend this next month educating ourselves and uplifting the Black community for generations to come.
Thank you,
Janelle Perez
www.facebook.com/janelleperezforflorida [www.facebook.com/janelleperezforflorida] [link removed] [[link removed]] www.instagram.com/janelleperezforflorida [www.instagram.com/janelleperezforflorida] [link removed] [[link removed]]
Paid by Janelle Perez, Democrat, for State Senate District 38
Janelle Perez for State Senate
1742 W Flagler St.
Miami, FL 33135
United States
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