Be an Advocate for Racial Justice!
October 14th marked the 60th anniversary of presidential candidate John F. Kennedy’s 2:00 AM speech outside the University of Michigan’s student union, which jump-started the establishment of the Peace Corps.
Those familiar with the speech recall these words:
"How many of you who are going to be doctors, are willing to spend your days in Ghana? Technicians or engineers, how many of you are willing to work in the Foreign Service and spend your lives traveling around the world?”
But not as well-known are the words that followed:
“On your willingness to do that, not merely to serve one year or two years in the service, but on your willingness to contribute part of your life to this country, I think will depend the answer whether a free society can compete. I think it can! And I think Americans are willing to contribute. But the effort must be far greater than we have ever made in the past.” (emphasis added).
Sixty years after this foundational moment for the Peace Corps, we invite you to contribute a small “part of your life to this country” — through an advocacy action that confronts the foundational offense of our nation: racial injustice and inequality.
This action invites you to write to your Senators and urge action on two pieces of legislation: The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (S. 4263) and The Justice in Policing Act of 2020 (S. 3912).
This action allows you to edit and personalize your messages to your Senators. Thank you!
