Father’s Day is an important time to talk about racial justice and economic opportunity with your community. The separation of immigrant families, impacts of discriminatory policing and mass incarceration, and cultural attacks on LGBTQ+ communities can make this a hard and heavy day for many. Talk about the need to protect family unity and inclusively celebrate all families on this date. Focus on the values of opportunity, safety, and equity.
Tag: racial justice
Juneteenth
Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved Americans gained their freedom in Texas, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Today’s celebrations provide the opportunity to discuss the enduring legacies of racial injustice. Join the conversation, citing the values of opportunity, equity, voice, and community.
Plyler v. Doe
On this day in 1982, the Supreme Court ruled in the case of Plyler v. Doe that states could not deny public education to students who were not legally admitted into the country. Doing so, they said, violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. Since the ruling only applied to K-12 students, other court cases and legislation made it possible for some states to deny undocumented students access to in-state tuition, scholarships, or enrollment at public colleges and universities. Cite the values of voice, equity, and community on this date.
DACA Announced by Pres. Obama
On this day in 2012, President Obama announced the creation of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program that allows those who arrived as children — many of whom know no homeland other than the United States — to live and contribute to their communities without fear of deportation. Advocates continue to call on Congress to create a permanent solution for DACA recipients and their families. For information on the status of the program, follow the National Immigration Law Center and United We Dream. Discuss this anniversary by referring to the values of voice, community, and opportunity.
“Miranda rights”
On this day in 1966, the Supreme Court issued its decision on Ernesto Miranda vs. Arizona. The ruling created what became known as “Miranda rights,” the law enforcement procedure of reminding someone of their rights when being arrested. Use this anniversary to discuss the importance of criminal justice reform by referring to the values of equity, safety, and voice.
Loving Day
Loving Day celebrates the anniversary of the 1967 United States Supreme Court decision on the case of Loving v. Virginia, which struck down all state laws banning interracial marriage. In 2022, President Biden signed the Respect for Marriage Act, which codified the federal government’s recognition and respect of both same-sex and interracial marriages. This legislation passed in response to SCOTUS’ decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which raised concern that other landmark cases would be threatened. Use the anniversary to talk about racial justice with the values of equity and voice.
Griswold v. Connecticut
On this day in 1965, the Supreme Court upheld the “right of marital privacy” in the case of Griswold v. Connecticut, which ensured access to contraception. The case provided precedent for the court to legalize abortion in the Roe v. Wade case eight years later. The Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overrule Roe also raised concern about how the right to privacy might be further threatened in other landmark decisions. When discussing the intersecting harms of the political attacks on reproductive freedom, remember to advance narratives of full rights and justice for everyone, especially those living in poverty and Black, brown, and Indigenous communities. Cite the values of opportunity and equity.
Kalief Browder
On this day in 2015, Kalief Browder took his own life after spending three years in New York’s Rikers Island jail. Browder had been awaiting trial for stealing a backpack and spent two years in solitary confinement. Supporters point to Browder’s incarceration as the source of his mental health struggle. Cite the values of equity and safety on this date.
19th Amendment
Today is the anniversary in 1919 of Congress approving the Constitution’s 19th amendment, which gave white women the right to vote. While an important accomplishment, Jim Crow laws prevented many women of color from exercising this right for decades. Women of color continue to lead civic engagement within our communities, using both organizing and cultural strategies to expand voting rights in the face of continued efforts to suppress votes in communities of color. Cite the values of equity and voice when talking about this anniversary.
Black Music Appreciation Month
June is also Black Music Appreciation Month, a celebration dating back to 1979 highlighting the Black traditions that created, defined, and expanded musical forms, including sacred, folk, blues, jazz, R&B, rock, hip-hop, and more. While it might seem that Black music hardly needs a special time for appreciation, given its dominant everyday presence in American culture, Black artists, promoters, record labels, radio stations, and venues have often been sidelined or cut out of the economic opportunities their cultural contributions generate. Emphasize the values of voice and opportunity when discussing the importance of racial justice in the music industry and online.
