Black History Month Should Prompt Honest Reflection

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Nancy Rodriguez, media@acslaw.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- American Constitution Society President Russ Feingold released the following statement in recognition of Black History Month:

“As we commemorate Black History Month, we should of course celebrate the heroes and legends (and ordinary people) who have contributed so much to what is best about our nation. Without the contributions of Black Americans, there would be no America as we know it.

But as we focus on the triumphs of Black people and the struggles they overcame, we should also consider the context in which they did so. And we should ask ourselves, “Why was so much heroism required of them; why were their struggles so great?” And we must be honest with ourselves about the answers.

This month and throughout this our 20^th Anniversary year, ACS will be reckoning with our nation’s deeply rooted racism, both past and present, and especially the obvious and subtle ways it has tainted our Constitution. We hope you will join us for this important work and the search for solutions.”

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AMERICAN CONSTITUTION SOCIETY
ACS believes that the Constitution is “of the people, by the people, and for the people.” We interpret the Constitution based on its text and against the backdrop of history and lived experience. Through a diverse nationwide network of progressive lawyers, law students, judges, scholars, and many others, we work to uphold the Constitution in the 21st Century by ensuring that law is a force for protecting our democracy and the public interest and for improving people’s lives. For more information, visit us at www.acslaw.org or on Twitter @acslaw