Racial Justice
We Cannot Achieve Economic Justice Without Racial Justice
No matter where we come from or what we look like, we all deserve an equitable chance to pursue our dreams. At SEIU, we are coming together to reject the politics of hate and division. We are fighting back against self-interested politicians and greedy corporations who try to divide us while they hijack our economy, our democracy, and our government.
Together in union, people from different places and of different races fight for issues that matter to our families. Our experience teaches us that “divide and conquer” strategies are often used to keep working people from coming together to build a better future for all families and race has historically been one of the most powerful ways to pit working people against one another.
At our 2016 Convention, SEIU member delegates passionately debated and passed a resolution proclaiming that in order to win economic justice, we must win racial justice. Our fights for $15 and a union, immigrant and environmental justice are connected to our fight for racial justice. There can be no economic justice without racial justice.
Racial Justice Center
The Racial Justice Center was established in January of 2017 to support our commitment to all working families whether Black, white or brown. It serves as a hub and resource for our work to create a world where everyone, no matter the color of their skin, can participate, prosper and reach their full potential.
If you would like to contact the Racial Justice Center, please email RJC@seiu.org.
Resources
Race-Class Narrative
Race and our economy are linked. However, too often we discuss them as if they are separate. We set out on a journey, with several partner organizations, to discover the best ways of explaining how race is weaponized to keep working people divided while greedy corporate bosses remain at the top. The latest round of research centered on the midwest is now available for review.
Race Class Narrative originated through collaboration between Ian Haney López, ASO Communications, Lake Research Partners, Brilliant Corners, SEIU and Demos. The 2018 research can be found on the C3 and C4 websites.
Taking Freedom
This collection of readings is intended to help union members and activists deepen their understanding of how race impacts the issues we hear on the news everyday.
Together, with co-workers, neighbors, and friends you can use these essays to build conversations and take actions that bring us closer to creating a more just and humane society.
It is also available in Spanish.
Updated Jan 21, 2021