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The heat of June feels especially dense this year. As many state legislative sessions across the country come to a close or transition to recess, there’s a range of emotions I’m sure many are feeling. Some of us are celebrating wins like passing the most progressive paid parental leave policy in the South, passing unemployment for striking workers, and expanding the minimum wage to farmworkers. Others have had success in building coalitions and advancing good policies, yet are undoubtedly frustrated at measures not codified into law and hard fought wins that lawmakers repealed.
For me, this time was also filled with Juneteenth celebrations. Of course, at EPI, we marked the holiday with the final release in the Rooted in Racism series! But there were also cookouts to enjoy, red velvet cake to request, and plenty of banter over games of Spades.
In some senses Juneteenth embodies the tensions of this moment. It’s a symbol of resistance and resilience. Juneteenth was birthed from one of the most horrendous periods in human history. And out of that pain and sorrow, people rejoiced at the genesis of a new day as it was announced (belatedly) that slavery was officially abolished in Confederate states. It’s a moment of community and a constant reminder that to move forward towards racial, gender, and economic justice, we must lean on each other. Embracing our neighbors, we feel the community, kinship, and solidarity that we need to gather the strength to advance labor standards, fight for our constitutional rights, and build power together.
Before I go, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the opportunity to join together at EARNCon. Registration recently opened and I can’t wait to be in community with you all in New Orleans.
In solidarity,
Jasmine Payne-Patterson
Senior State Policy Strategist
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