JOE ON THE ISSUES

Achieving greater social and racial justice - and reuniting America

Our latest policy paper

Our nation mourns after two more tragic incidents of domestic terror. We must, now more than ever, reunite our country. 

At an event in Waterloo, Iowa, today, we discussed my latest policy paper - on achieving social and racial justice. You can read it in full here.

I recognize that the color of one’s skin gives certain privileges that others do not enjoy. My understanding of all this is rooted in part in the experience of growing up alongside Philadelphia, but it especially comes from my 31-years of experience in the United States Navy, an institution which in many ways is a microcosm of America: it is a melting pot, full of beautiful diversity, and with many rules in place to prevent discrimination, but in which it was — when I joined up to serve — easier to succeed and advance for those of my color.

As President, I will work to fight against injustice in all forms so each and every one of us can share equally in the promise of America — much as we advanced greatly toward equality of opportunity in the Naval Service during my time in it. My priorities to achieve greater social and racial justice, if elected President, are to:

• Oppose white supremacy & white nationalism in all its forms.
• Always confront sexism, racism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, classism, ageism, and all forms of bigotry.
• Pursue criminal justice reform to address injustices in policing, the courts, and prisons.
• Fight for equal rights for people of color, women, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, and indigenous people.
• Build a diverse, inclusive and truly representative cabinet and administration.
• Treat migrants and refugees with respect and dignity.
• End the shameful practice of separating migrant children from their parents or guardians.
• Pass comprehensive immigration reform.
• Achieve universal healthcare.
• Raise the minimum wage, and work for real, rising wages for all.
• Reinstate and expand voting rights.
• Address the crisis of homelessness and lack of affordable housing.
• Decriminalize marijuana and address drug abuse with more and better addiction treatment, not more prosecution and incarceration of nonviolent offenders.
• Mandate free public education for all 4-year-olds, subsidize daycare for low to middle-income families, and institute paid family and medical leave.
• Increase access to education, from preschool through higher education, including vocational training, and work with states and school districts to integrate segregated schools.
• Hold municipalities accountable for providing clean drinking water to all residents.
• Increase nutrition assistance for needy families.
• Improve and expand programs to help farmers of color and prospective farmers from underrepresented communities to access farmland and credit, in part through a new National Land Bank and a 21st Century Sustainable Homestead Act.
• Respect Native American sovereignty and work to improve living conditions on reservations and in other indigenous communities.
• Strengthen protections for migrant farmworkers.
• Center workers, human rights, and the environment in all trade negotiations.
• Pursue smart foreign policy that never ignores the human rights of people in other countries and only considers military action as an absolute last and needed resort — with recognition of “how it will end.”
• Re-join the Paris Accord and make fighting climate change — which hits already marginalized people first and worst — a national priority once again.

You can read the full policy paper here.

Joe Sestak
P.O Box 17246
Alexandria, VA 22302
United States

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