Remember my blog post, Disability Poverty: Modernize Thoughts and Actions, Not Just Benefits! where I wrote my thoughts on disability unemployment? In the final paragraph, I said this:
"My people with disabilities, it's time for us to rise up! We need to rise up in nonviolent revolution for jobs and dignity, just like Dr. King was planning when he was assassinated. We should do marches, protests and sit-ins, just like the Freedom Fighters did for Black people because otherwise, nothing will change. Yes, voting is of the utmost importance, but that is only one tool in our toolbox, besides, politicians will promise the moon to get your vote, then, give you nothing when they get elected - then, it's another two, four, or six years before they're out. Besides, with the new voting laws, it's becoming more difficult to vote if you aren't part of the dominant culture, belong to the wrong political party, or don't have government issued identification. Because we are poor and perceived to be powerless, direct action and nonviolent civil disobedience are our most powerful tools and the only thing the powers that be will pay attention to when you don't have money. We should not be afraid because we'll be doing this not just for ourselves, but for those who cannot do it and those who will come after us. Never forget that our great nation was founded on protest, and that protest was the only way that many of us get our civil rights. Having a job is not a privilege, having a job, if you are able to work, is a right and a responsibility. We must fight for that right and responsibility because nobody is going to give it to us!"
Well, folks, this upcoming March is part of the answer to that call to action, and the petition is the opening salvo.
On October 14, 2015, thousands of people with disabilities and fellow supporters are scheduled to march on our Nation's Capitol to demand Equal Employment Opportunities for EVERYONE! This petition states our demands. Please read it and share it!
I will post more about the March in later blogs. I will say this: I am one of the core organizers of it, and I am SO excited! Our organizers wrote the petition and the demands, so please take a moment to sign and share. Thanks so much!
"My people with disabilities, it's time for us to rise up! We need to rise up in nonviolent revolution for jobs and dignity, just like Dr. King was planning when he was assassinated. We should do marches, protests and sit-ins, just like the Freedom Fighters did for Black people because otherwise, nothing will change. Yes, voting is of the utmost importance, but that is only one tool in our toolbox, besides, politicians will promise the moon to get your vote, then, give you nothing when they get elected - then, it's another two, four, or six years before they're out. Besides, with the new voting laws, it's becoming more difficult to vote if you aren't part of the dominant culture, belong to the wrong political party, or don't have government issued identification. Because we are poor and perceived to be powerless, direct action and nonviolent civil disobedience are our most powerful tools and the only thing the powers that be will pay attention to when you don't have money. We should not be afraid because we'll be doing this not just for ourselves, but for those who cannot do it and those who will come after us. Never forget that our great nation was founded on protest, and that protest was the only way that many of us get our civil rights. Having a job is not a privilege, having a job, if you are able to work, is a right and a responsibility. We must fight for that right and responsibility because nobody is going to give it to us!"
Well, folks, this upcoming March is part of the answer to that call to action, and the petition is the opening salvo.
On October 14, 2015, thousands of people with disabilities and fellow supporters are scheduled to march on our Nation's Capitol to demand Equal Employment Opportunities for EVERYONE! This petition states our demands. Please read it and share it!
I will post more about the March in later blogs. I will say this: I am one of the core organizers of it, and I am SO excited! Our organizers wrote the petition and the demands, so please take a moment to sign and share. Thanks so much!