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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
<br /> BLACK HISTORY MONTH
<br /> PROCLAMATION
<br /> WHEREAS , it is essential to sustain a harmonious and inclusive society , Orange County
<br /> discourages practices and actions deemed detrimental to the peace , welfare , and progress of
<br /> our community ; and
<br /> WHEREAS , Black Americans , descendants of people forcibly taken from Africa and subjected to
<br /> the brutalities of slavery , White supremacy , and family separation , have survived and overcome
<br /> over 400 years of systemic oppression , creating a vibrant and dynamic legacy that is central to
<br /> the cultural , economic , and political fabric of this nation ; and
<br /> WHEREAS , the resilience , innovation , and indomitable spirit of Black Americans have pushed
<br /> this nation closer to the ideals of freedom , equality , and democracy that the Founders expressed
<br /> but did not fully pursue , even as they have fought tirelessly against the enduring specter of racial
<br /> injustice , oppression , violence , and discrimination ; and
<br /> WHEREAS , Black history is not only a celebration of victories won but also a testament to the
<br /> years and lives lost in the pursuit of equity , inclusion , social justice , and liberation ; and
<br /> WHEREAS , we honor the legacy of leaders , martyrs , visionaries , and revolutionaries who
<br /> sacrificed safety to defy both legal and illegal acts of oppression , and recognize the current
<br /> generation of leaders who continue to dismantle barriers , uplift communities and pursue justice ;
<br /> and
<br /> WHEREAS , Orange County , recognizing it is home to numerous unmarked cemeteries for
<br /> enslaved people , will soon be adding a commemorative headstone collectively marking at least
<br /> 34 individual graves at Blackwood Farms , honoring the lives and legacy of those whose labor
<br /> and sacrifice were foundational to the history of Orange County ; and
<br /> WHEREAS , this year' s theme of "African Americans and Labor" highlights the vital economic role
<br /> Black Americans have played in the development of the United States , acknowledging that Black
<br /> work — both free and forced — has been critical to the nation ' s infrastructure , industries , and
<br /> cultural identity , while also underscoring the need for fair labor practices , equitable wages and
<br /> hiring policies , along with workplace justice that continues today ;
<br /> NOW, THEREFORE , we , the Board of County Commissioners of Orange County , do proclaim
<br /> February 2025 as " BLACK HISTORY MONTH " and encourage residents to honor this
<br /> distinctive month by becoming more enlightened as to the true history of Black Americans in this
<br /> Country and in our community .
<br /> THIS THE 4tn DAY OF FEBRUARY,
<br /> 17 ° . 34 J ezett _ Bedford , Cha
<br /> Orange County Board of Commissioners
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