Why Young Men in the US Should Pay Attention to and Advocate for the Equal Rights Amendment
July 23, 2024
By Ava Lee-Green
On June 19, 1865 – almost two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation – slaves in Texas finally received news that slavery had finally ended in the US. 158 years later, Juneteenth is now a federally-recognized holiday and provides a platform to uplift the voices of Black people. Juneteenth is not only a time to celebrate the hard work that has been done in the past to get to where we are today, but also a day to plan how to better our communities for the future.
Listed below are five, Black-led and Black-focused, ERA Coalition partners that you can support this Juneteenth:
- Black Girls Vote aims to empower young Black women to use their vote to invoke political change. Like many times in US history, the most change comes when people work together. Black Girls Vote brings young Black voters from around the country together to advance education, healthcare, and economic equality within the community.
- The Black Women’s Agenda uses its platform to educate and raise awareness of the ongoing inequalities between the Black community and other minority communities in the US.
- Black Women’s Roundtable is one of the most prominent programs of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation. The roundtable hosts programs throughout the year dedicated to promoting discussion both amongst the Black community, as well as with the general public.
- The National Black Justice Coalition works to end homophobia, especially in the Black community. Via local educational programs and political advocacy, their efforts have contributed to ending the stigma against the Black LGBTQ+ community and those living with HIV/AIDS.
- Black Bodies for Black Power is a national coalition of Black feminists that supports individuals’ leadership efforts and educates the public to change societal norms towards equality.
Supporting local Black-owned businesses is another great way to celebrate what has been achieved by the Black community. Platforms like ByBlack are great resources to use to allow people to discover Black-owned businesses, as well as Black entrepreneurs to promote their businesses.
