January 20, 2022
At this time formally marks one 12 months since President Joseph Biden saved our nation from absolutely the tyranny of the Trump administration alongside the primary Black and Indian American Lady to function Vice-President. Regardless of probably the most INSANE presidential elections in our lifetime with navigating COVID-19, Millennials and Gen Z turned out in file quantity, proving that we’re a vital and pivotal voting bracket. As we mirror one 12 months later with Uncle Joe and Sis VP Harris, there have been some quasi wins, however the sense of urgency to incorporate and amplify the voices of youth and younger adults has been considerably left behind. Listed below are 3 methods the Biden-Harris Administration can enhance engagement with Black, Latinx & Indigenous Millennials and Gen Z’s.
Make a Resolution to Forgive Scholar Loans…PERIODT!
Black Girls, probably the most educated voting base within the nation, are particularly hit arduous by scholar mortgage debt adjoining to different debilitating points such because the Black Maternal Well being Disaster, local weather change…pay attention, the misogynoir is REAL. In accordance with a 2021 report from the The American Affiliation of College Girls, Black ladies carry about 20% extra scholar debt than white ladies do. Researchers estimate that one 12 months after commencement, white ladies owe $33,851 in undergraduate loans, on common, whereas Black ladies owe a mean of $41,466. [Source] Moreover, Black ladies and different traditionally disenfranchised communities expertise the monetary burden of different environmental injustices akin to power burden and the shortage of entry to weatherization packages and photo voltaic power. For instance, in 2021, a report by the Sierra Membership says “residents of Black and Latinx neighborhoods in Milwaukee spend a far higher share of revenue on fuel and electrical utility payments, with advocates calling for debt forgiveness and empathy.”
One of many prime problem areas for Black and Latinx voters was scholar mortgage forgiveness. I want we may very well be like “We did it, Joe”, however WE DID NOT in 12 months one. If the administration can proceed to increase compensation dates, why are we unable to cancel this debt! We already know congress and the senate are the banes of our existence, however Uncle Joe and Sis VP Harris, are you able to flex and lean on that good ol’ government energy and ship on what you mentioned? Channel a few of that power from our good sis, Nene Leaks…
One of many prime problem areas for Black and Latinx voters was scholar mortgage forgiveness. I want we may very well be like “We did it, Joe”, however WE DID NOT in 12 months one.
We Have An Environmental Justice Advisory Council with Minimal Youth & Younger Grownup Engagement
March 2021 was a historic second as our Founder CEO & President LaTricea D. Adams turned the youngest African American girl AND Okay-12 educator to be appointed to the inaugural White Home Environmental Justice Advisory Council (WHEJAC). As the one Black childbirthing particular person, Adams engaged over 11 nationwide and native organizations to tell the WHEJAC suggestions. Among the vital focus areas had been Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention, Maternal Well being, and inclusivity of Okay-12 educators and youth because it pertains to workforce growth and normal environmental training. Additionally, in alignment with the prevailing Nationwide Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC) and the nod and assist from the brand new EPA regime, a advice was made to ascertain a youth model of the WHEJAC. Whereas the Biden-Harris administration made a historic dedication to guide water and paint remediation with the Lead Pipe and Paint Motion Plan, there are excessive areas of progress because it pertains to creating areas for youth and younger adults as we put together for a inexperienced financial system. With Child Boomers FINALLY retiring, that leaves Era X, Millennials (who make up the most important group within the workforce outdoors of Boomers) and the newcomers, GenZ. How is it that the US wants roughly 700,000 jobs to successfully implement the Biden-Harris clear/inexperienced jobs initiative, however we’re not centering the voices of Okay-12 educators, youth and younger adults? MAKE IT MAKE SENSE, UNCLE JOE AND SIS VP HARRIS!
Surprisingly, there was little to no momentum with the WHEJAC suggestions because it pertains to Maternal Well being, even after a serious 12 months in 2020 and 2021 with consideration on Black Maternal Well being, and VP Harris (one of many founders of the Black Maternal Well being Caucus) establishing the primary Maternal Well being Summit and Maternal Well being Day of Motion. AGAIN…MAKE IT MAKE SENSE! We are able to’t discuss mommies, with out amplifying the wants of our different most weak inhabitants, youngsters. We applaud the Biden-Harris administration for calling out a decades-long problem relating to childhood lead poisoning that goes past the Flint Water Disaster and the Baltimore Lead Paint Disaster, however there are different environmentally induced threats to youngsters akin to poor air high quality, lead in shopper merchandise and even child meals, and a plethora of things that didn’t appear to make lead-way in 12 months one of many Biden-Harris Administration. Do you imagine the kids are our future for actual, or nah?
Surprisingly, there was little to no momentum with the WHEJAC suggestions because it pertains to Maternal Well being, even after a serious 12 months in 2020 and 2021 with consideration on Black Maternal Well being, and VP Harris (one of many founders of the Black Maternal Well being Caucus) establishing the primary Maternal Well being Summit and Maternal Well being Day of Motion.
The Senate Was a Hater on Constructing Again Higher
Some of the unconscionable tragedies of 12 months one for the Biden-Harris Administration is what seems to be the failure of the Construct Again Higher Act. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Invoice was a win, however the GOP and reasonable Dems (**cough** Manchin **coughcough** Sinema) maintained a establishment of prioritizing private agendas as a substitute of advocating for the perfect pursuits of Individuals. To not give the Senate (or congress) a go, however we already knew what it was. We knew that the razor skinny hole between the aisle within the Senate was going to be exhausting similar to what we’re seeing with this nasty filibuster to guard voting rights. If we already know this, Uncle Joe and Sis VP Harris, why did we wager a lot on our already raggedy senate? Pay attention, on the finish of the day, no matter who’s fault it’s, America is dropping.
The place Do We Go From Right here?
Within the phrases of adored Afro-latina music artist Cardi B, “If it’s up, then it’s up, then it’s up, then it’s caught”. We’re 12 months #2 in COVID with “omarion” wreaking havoc…Black males nonetheless being unlawfully accosted and murdered by police…excessive, catastrophic climate negatively impacting our already crumbling infrastructure, KARENS…it could actually ONLY be up from right here. However, Uncle Joe and Sis VP Harris, LISTEN TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE! From our now ancestor Congressman John Lewis to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., it has been the voices of younger folks that have sparked revolutions. Minnie Pearl and Earl n’ dem aren’t going to be right here when local weather claims the lives of future generations. Pay attention and ACT on the calls for of our youth and younger adults…YALL are the one’s borrowing the planet from us proper now. In two phrases…DO BETTER then you may BUILD BACK BETTER!
