Ahead of Black History Month, Biden Says America Has Never Lived up to Its Promise of Equality

In his proclamation marking February as National Black History Month, President Biden said part of celebrating the legacy of Black Americans means acknowledging that America has never lived up to its promise that all people should be treated equal.

“The struggles and challenges of the Black American story to make a way out of no way have been the crucible where our resolve to fulfill this vision has most often been tested,” Biden said in a statement on Tuesday.

“Black Americans’ struggles for freedom, equal treatment, and the right to vote; for equal opportunities in education, housing, and the workplace; for economic opportunity, equal justice, and political representation; and so much more have reformed our democracy far beyond its founding. Black Americans have made a way not only for themselves but also have helped build a highway for millions of women, immigrants, other historically marginalized communities, and all Americans to more fully experience the benefits of our society,” the president continued.

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Biden said his administration has been working to address these “long-standing disparities that hamper the progress of Black communities.”

“We are using every avenue to confront racial discrimination in housing and in mortgage lending and to help build generational wealth in Black communities,” he said, adding that his administration is working to end discriminatory appraisals of Black-owned homes.

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