This article was printed in the June 17 version of The Venice Wave, an 826LA West publication.

Every summer, people celebrate Juneteenth. On June 19th, they think about how great it is that everyone is free and equal. When they think about being free, one person they may think about is Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King, Jr. used his courage and bravery to make his dream come true. He dreamed of a world where black people and white people could join hands and be equal peacefully. He gave a speech about this dream that gave other black people courage to fight for equality.

Today, black people are equal. That is why Barack Obama can be our president. He gives speeches to black and white people like Martin Luther King’s speeches, asking them to be good and use their courage to get along.

This Juneteenth, people will celebrate by eating a lot of food outside in the park or in the backyard. They will also read the laws that made them free, and sing songs.

Reporting by Jason Ramírez, 3rd Grade, Grand View Elementary