This Friday is Juneteenth (June 19th), also known as “Freedom Day,” a holiday that commemorates the abolition of slavery in the United States. Recent events and demonstrations have exposed the overwhelming challenges that Black communities face when exercising their constitutional rights, and the lack of equal representation of Black people in government.
AIT polling from earlier this year found that women of color, and black women in particular, participated more politically than any other group. Still, Black women are underrepresented in government. Of the 127 women serving in Congress, only 22 are Black; of the 90 women serving in statewide elective offices only 5 are Black, and of the 2,154 women serving as state legislators only 313 are Black.
This #TakeActionTuesday, support, and advocate for black people in your community and beyond.
- Learn more. Last night, All In Together held a landmark virtual town hall, Black Women Lead, hosted in partnership with She the People, the 19th* News, and the LBJ Presidential Library. If you missed it or just want to hear it again, you can access or share the recording of the town hall here.
- Advocate. Review proposed legislation that impacts black communities and contact your representatives to make your voice heard. Some examples of pending legislation are The Ending PUSHOUT Act, The Saving Our Street Act, The Ending Qualified Immunity Act, A Resolution Condemning Police Brutality. Do you need help contacting your representatives? Visit AIT’s Action Center to find more information.
- Support black-owned businesses. Support your local businesses by buying from black-owned stores in your community. If you are looking for specific products, check out this list of black-owned businesses to support.
How are you commemorating Juneteenth? Let us know at info@aitogether.org.
