Booker on the ‘Commercialization of Juneteenth:’ We Have a Responsibility Not to Cheapen the Holiday

RUSH EXCERPT:

BOOKER: “I think the materialism, commercialism, those streams in our society often detract from the nobility and principles and ideals, but also for us confronting the fullness of our history. I’ve gotten frustrated on Martin Luther King day, we’ve created a santification of Martin Luther King, when he was unpopular when he died. He pushed this country to expand its moralization. The idea this holiday is descending into consumerism, we can’t let that happen. Companies will want to pad their bottom lines, but we have a responsibility to not cheapen the holiday. Most importantly to be and live the yieltdz we’re celebrating.”