White House emphasizes Juneteenth’s focus on reading, not banning books, in swipe at GOP.

The White House Stands Firm on Juneteenth and Critical Race Theory

The White House has taken a strong stance against Republicans who oppose the teaching of critical race theory in schools and advocate for the exclusion of “age-inappropriate” books from curricula. This comes as the nation celebrates Juneteenth, a holiday that holds deep significance in the fight against slavery and inequality.

President Joe Biden, in his first year in office, declared Juneteenth a federal holiday to honor the struggle against slavery and to symbolize hope for a better future. According to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, it represents “the long and hard-fought fight against slavery and subjugation” as well as “a promise of a brighter morning to come.”

“It’s not enough to just commemorate Juneteenth,” Jean-Pierre emphasized. “Emancipation marked the beginning, not the end, of America’s work to deliver on the promise of equality. It’s about remembering history, not erasing it. It is about reading books, not banning them.”

Jean-Pierre further added, “To honor the true meaning of Juneteenth, we must not rest until we deliver the promise of America for all Americans.”

In addition to expressing their support for Juneteenth, the White House also extended their condolences to the victims of a tragic shooting that occurred during a Juneteenth celebration in Willowbrook, Illinois. One person lost their life, and 22 others were injured.

“We have reached out to offer assistance to state and local leaders in the wake of this tragedy,” Jean-Pierre stated.

President Biden is currently en route to California for a climate change event with Governor Gavin Newsom and fundraisers ahead of his reelection campaign’s financial disclosure deadline next month.