The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom occurred on August, 28, 1963 attracting more than 200 thousand demonstrators to the Lincoln Memorial. Dr. King Delivers his famous "I Have A Dream" speech in front of the crowd. (Photo: Getty Images)
On August 28, 1963 thousands of people gathered at the Lincoln Memorial for the March on Washington. Although the march would later become known for Dr. King's famous "I Have a Dream" speech, the rallying cry that brought the crowds to Washington, DC was jobs and freedom. The theme of better jobs has been intrinsically linked to people's civil and human rights. Employment is a foundational element that effects our housing opportunities, educational opportunities, healthcare, and overall quality of life. Organizers of the March on Washington recognized the impact of jobs on people's lives and listed work opportunities, equitable pay, decent, and meaningful civil rights laws as their demands.
Over 50 years later, the demands of the March on Washington resonate with communities today. Organizations advocating a living wage or $15 an hour campaigns are pursuing more than financial compensation, but meaningful empowerment and self - determination for American workers. Today, the majority of American workers who earn the minimum wage or less are in the food industries. In order to work themselves out of poverty, a person in the United States earning minimum wage would have to work a minimum of 50 hours a week.
As we explore the theme of better jobs, we must first understand our own socioeconomic standing. Check out the Pew Research Center's income calculator. If you change your geographic location, how does that impact your socioeconomic level? As an ally or participant in the fight for social justice, we need to hold up a mirror to ourselves to understand the factors that impact our perspective of the world.
LET'S GO!
In 2016, PBS Newshour produced a quiz, Do you live in a bubble? Quiz. This quiz offers some perspective on how your position in American society is affected by numerous factors. What did the quiz reveal to you? Did it alter your perspective of where you stand in the American economic society? Share your thoughts on our 50 Weeks of Action Facebook Group Page.
Be part of the solution. A simple way you can empower someone else is to share a job posting online or via social media. Is your job hiring or you know a company or organization that is? You never know who within your network is looking for a job or looking to improve their circumstances. Extra points if you connect someone with a hiring manager.
What is your dream job?
What do you want to do when you grow up? Think about your interests and your talents and how you can use those in your career.
Consider these questions:
What kind of training and education will you need for this job?
Who do you like working with? People who are your age? Older? Younger?
Will that job be interesting for you? Are there many jobs like that out there?
Check out this videocalled The Berenstain Bears On the Job (Part 1 & 2) to learn about different jobs that you might like.
(For Tweens and Teens)
Go to your local library and borrow What Color is Your Parachute? by Carol Christen and Richard N. Bolles. This book will help prepare you for choosing your career.
What can you do to plan for your future? Click below for more.
SHARE YOUR STORY
What ideas do you have to spark the modern day Civil Rights Movement? What stories of your past can help us today and in the future? Share your civil rights stories with us. Your ideas and your stories matter. #MLK50
