On Juneteenth, A Better Wisconsin Together Calls on GOP Lawmakers to End Attacks on Black History, DEI

In honor and recognition of Juneteenth, A Better Wisconsin Together is pushing back against right-wing attempts to censor Black history and attack the freedoms of Black Wisconsinites.

artwork depicting hands
artwork depicting hands

MADISON, Wis. – In honor and recognition of Juneteenth, A Better Wisconsin Together is pushing back against right-wing attempts to censor Black history and attack the freedoms of Black Wisconsinites.

Juneteenth – a celebration of Black freedom, liberation, and resiliency that commemorates the formal end of slavery in the South on June 19, 1865 – reminds us that in 2024 the fight for universal freedom is ongoing, especially amid relentless efforts from Wisconsin Republicans to censor Black history from being taught in our schools and roll back programs meant to ensure Wisconsin is state where everyone has the tools they need to be successful, no matter their race.

“Wisconsin was home to one of the first Juneteenth celebrations outside of the South, making it even more appalling that, years later, GOP lawmakers are trying to erase that history and undo progress for Black Wisconsinites,” said Lucy Ripp, communications director at A Better Wisconsin Together. 

In the 2023-24 legislative session, state Republicans introduced a racially targeted classroom censorship resolution (AJR 8/SJR 7) that the ACLU of Wisconsin has described as part of a, “​​nationwide crusade against a complete, accurate, and inclusive education.”

GOP lawmakers introduced AJR 8/SJR 7 after Governor Evers vetoed a similar Republican bill that would have made it illegal to teach students in Wisconsin about the harms of racism in our nation’s history and given Republicans the power to remove vital funding from school districts who do.

Further, Wisconsin Republicans kicked off Black History Month earlier this year by advocating for changing our state constitution to limit DEI efforts across the state, and another GOP bill that would attack financial aid programs meant to close gaps in access to higher education for Black communities in Wisconsin.

“We all have a part to play in dismantling white supremacy, and that means committing to confronting anti-Black racism in our communities, politics, families, schools, and social circles,” said Ripp. “Our elected leaders must be held to that same standard.”

# # #

A Better Wisconsin Together is a state-based research and communications hub for progressives and is an affiliate of ProgressNow.

Image related to State Senate Republicans Finally Show Up for Work, But Still Aren’t Getting the Job Done
Image related to State Senate Republicans Finally Show Up for Work, But Still Aren’t Getting the Job Done

State Senate Republicans Finally Show Up for Work, But Still Aren’t Getting the Job Done

Surprisingly, senate Republicans finally showed up to work today. But unsurprisingly, they still aren’t doing their jobs.

wisconsin republican tom tiffany speaking
wisconsin republican tom tiffany speaking

OP-ED: It’s National Banned Books Week, and Here’s What You Need to Know About Tom Tiffany’s Record on the Issue

Not only was he recently caught scrubbing his website of his radical right-wing and unpopular beliefs, but he’s also trying to scrub away Wisconsin kids’ right to read

wisconsin republican tom tiffany with his eyes closed
wisconsin republican tom tiffany with his eyes closed

Tom Tiffany Flubs Attempt to Scrub His Right-Wing Extremism From the Internet

Unfortunately for Tom Tiffany, it’s going to take a lot more than scrubbing his record off of his website to make Wisconsinites forget how radically out of touch he is on the issues they care about.