As we observe Juneteenth this year we are reminded of how information and education have always been tools of both oppression and liberation. When news of emancipation finally reached enslaved people in Texas in 1865, it came 2.5 years late. This deliberate delay in sharing life-changing information wasn't an accident—it was a calculated effort to maintain control through ignorance.

Today, as we reflect on Juneteenth's meaning, we in the Latino immigrant communities are seeing powerful parallels to our own struggles. While our histories are distinct, the systems that have held back Black Americans since slavery are strikingly similar to those that limit opportunities for immigrant and Latinofamilies across the country.

The Information Gap Continues

Just as emancipation news was withheld from enslaved people, vital informational and educational resources are still systematically withheld from our communities. According to The Education Trust, school districts serving predominantly Black and Latino students receive up to $2,700 less per student than districts serving mostly white students. This isn't just a number—it represents fewer books, larger class sizes, outdated technology, and less experienced teachers.

The digital divide has made these disparities even starker. While wealthy districts seamlessly transitioned to online learning during the pandemic, our children struggled without reliable internet or devices. The Federal Communications Commission reports that 39% of households earning under $25,000 annually lack broadband access—a modern-day information gap that mirrors the delayed freedom news of Juneteenth.

Furthermore, the Trump administration is deleting, and intentionally keeping critical health, weather, immigration, and other data and policies hidden from the public. This critical information and data can mean the difference between life and death, being separated from your family or remaining united, and other severe consequences. This Juneteenth, we are reminded of the necessity of access to information for our collective liberation and well-being.

Shared Struggles, Shared Solutions

Both Latino and Black families know the weight of fighting for their children's education while navigating systems designed to exclude them. Both communities have watched our kids tracked into lower-level classes, seen our cultural, political, and social contributions erased from textbooks, and faced assumptions about our children's potential based on zip codes and surnames.

When Black parents in Birmingham demanded better schools in the 1960s, and when Latino families in Los Angeles fought for bilingual education in the 1970s, they were fighting the same battle we fight today—for the right to an education that prepares our children for success, not just compliance.

Building Bridges, Not Walls

The forces working against educational equity and freedom of information want us divided. They benefit when we compete for scraps instead of demanding the full funding our schools and public systems need. But just as formerly enslaved people immediately prioritized education after Juneteenth—founding over 90 institutions of higher learning between 1861 and 1900—our communities have always understood that education is the pathway to true freedom and liberation.

Today's attacks on ethnic studies, critical race theory, press freedom, education, and access to information aren't separate issues—they're coordinated efforts to limit what all our children and communities can learn about themselves and each other. Since 2021, 44 states have introduced bills restricting how teachers can discuss racism and inequality in schools. At the same time, the Department of Education has been severely impacted by executive orders and budget cuts. 

The House passed the budget bill, which also includes $1.1B in federal funding cuts to public broadcasting programs, mostly impacting rural states. Access to information is essential to any democracy. When we stand together, we're stronger advocates for fully funded public schools, teachers who reflect the diversity of our communities, and linguistically and culturally accessible information and resources.

Moving Forward Together

This Juneteenth, let's recommit to the alliance our communities have always needed. Let's demand that every child—whether their family crossed the Rio Grande or the Atlantic in slave ships—has access to well-funded schools, high-speed internet, public broadcasting, and education that honors their full humanity and dignity.

The information that could have freed enslaved people in 1865 was deliberately delayed. We won't let the resources that could free our children and families from cycles of poverty be delayed any longer. Juntos somos más fuertes—together, we are stronger. 

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