Opal Lee did not hold back about the direction she thinks America is heading in. The 96-year-old educator and “grandmother of Juneteenth” spoke at the White House‘s inaugural Juneteenth celebration on June 13 and emphasized one important thing Americans must remember.
“We are the most powerful country in the [world],” Lee said during her address on the White House’s South Lawn. “We must get together and get rid of the [disparities], the joblessness, the homelessness and health care that some can get, but others can’t. And [do something about the] climate change that we’re responsible for. If we don’t do something about it, we’re all going to hell in a hand basket.”
It was that statement that prompted Vice President Kamala Harris to speak again and thank Lee for her remarks. The entire audience, and Harris, shared a collective gasp and laughter.
“And with that, I thank you, Ms. Opal Lee,” Harris said. “For your years of advocacy, leadership and truth-telling.
“Happy Juneteenth to everyone. May God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America.”
Method Man emceed the event; Ledisi, Jennifer Hudson and Maverick City Music were some of the event’s headliners; while Druski, Brandee Evans, Tisha Campbell, Erika Alexander and pastor John Gray were among some of the celebrity guests in attendance.
“Let’s just as acknowledge the fact we are all here,” Campbell told rolling out. “This is the first time the White House has hosted something of this magnitude for Juneteenth, and it’s so amazing to be represented like this. It’s so important, so I’m really excited. I flew myself out here. They invited me and I was like, ‘I’m coming.’ It’s history-making, and it’s beautiful.”
