On Workers Memorial Day, labor unions and organizations working for occupational safety remember those who have suffered and died on the job, while renewing the fight for safe jobs. Cite the values of economic opportunity, community, and voice when discussing this day.
Tag: racial justice
March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Equal Rights and Liberation
On this day in 1993, the March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Equal Rights and Liberation became one of the largest protests in American history with more than one million participants. “Transgender” was omitted from the title because organizers failed to gain support for its addition. Cite the values of community and voice when discussing this anniversary.
Lesbian Visibility Week
Today is also the kickoff of Lesbian Visibility Week. In 2008, Diva Publisher Linda Rily celebrated the first Lesbian Visibility Day, which later became a weeklong celebration that aims to celebrate ALL LGBTQI+ women and non-binary people. Use this hook to discuss intersectionality and racial and economic justice by citing the values of economic opportunity, community, and voice.
NOLA Removes Confederate Monuments
On this day in 2017, New Orleans began removing Confederate monuments from the city. Many monuments remain across the U.S., and several cities and states continue to celebrate Confederate Memorial Day in late April. Use this hook to counter the social and political attack on critical race theory by emphasizing the urgency of telling an honest story about our nation’s history. Cite the values of community, voice, and equality.
Earth Day
Today is Earth Day, a day to support environmental protection and advocate for the importance of racial justice to guide climate change solutions. Use the values of community, equity, and voice.
Billie Holiday’s “Strange Fruit”
On this day in 1939, jazz singer Billie Holiday recorded “Strange Fruit,” which is considered to be the first significant song of the civil rights movement. The song directly addresses lynching in the South, an issue that activists and journalists like Ida B. Wells and the NAACP had been challenging for many years. Use this anniversary hook to discuss the power of artists in addressing social injustice. Cite the values of voice and equity.
Civil Rights Act of 1968
Seven days after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1968, also referred to as the Fair Housing Act. Cite the values of Voice and Economic Security when discussing this anniversary.
Birmingham Jail Letter Anniversary
On this day in 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote his famous open letter from Birmingham Jail. He wrote, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”. This anniversary provides an opportunity to discuss the intersectional work of racial and economic justice. Cite the values of equity, voice, and opportunity.
Dolores Huerta
Today is the birthday of labor organizer and activist Dolores Huerta (1930). Use this anniversary to discuss the concerns of immigrant workers in the U.S. today. Cite the values of equity, voice, and economic opportunity.
Scottsboro Trial
On this day in 1931, the first Scottsboro Trial started. Despite the lack of evidence, nine African-American teenage boys were falsely accused and eight were convicted of rape by an all-white jury. Their case gained national attention and sparked outcry from civil rights groups who organized legal defense to clear their names. Use this anniversary to discuss the continued need for criminal justice reform. Cite the values of equity and voice.
