She spoke of the oppressiveness of voter identification requirements, herself a fit into each category of contemporary oppression: race, gender, economic background, voting rights . . . the list goes on.
We must get out on the streets. We're losing our power.
Ai-Jen Poo, in a new plenary on "Jobs, Justice and the American Dream," had a new perspective to offer, another oppressed group, home caregivers, largely immigrants who serve the rich while simultaneously receiving the lowest wages.
This organizer of immigrant women workers in New York has successfully launched a New York Domestic Bill of Rights, which the legislature passed.
Why was this bill necessary? As much value as these workers, who usually assume all responsibilities of housekeeping and child care, place on that work as well as the equivalent at home, we don't reciprocate.
One maid, fired from her $3-per-hour work, was made homeless; realize that FDR excluded domestic workers from his humanitarian relief legislation.
But now this oppressed group is gaining ground. The New York bill is the first of its kind in this country and the idea is spreading.
"The world is clearer through the eyes of a woman," she said. Baby boomers are turning 65 at the rate of one every eight seconds or so and the demand for home care is consequently skyrocketing. We must care for the elders who sacrificed so much for us.
There are five fingers in the Campaign for Caring across Generations: 1) there are 2 million jobs in home care; 2) we must address labor standards and the right to organize; 3) training and career ladders are needed; 4) the path to citizenship should be a guided one; and 5) support for struggling families is needed.
A total of 5 percent of the military budget would pay for homecare plus benefits; there is no such thing as an enemy in working toward human dignity; no greater gift than the care we give to each other--taken together, all of these elements sustain the American Dream and are the basis for their drive.
She had cited a short legend that invokes Native American as well as her own culture: "The sun never says to the earth, "You owe me.' And yet look at all the beautiful light the sun gives us without charge."
And where next did I go? Let's say I couldn't stay away from a breakout workshop titled "Superwomen." How can we be there heroes of an economic recovery? Al-Jen Poo had begun this narrative (see above) and it continued with an all-woman panel composed of group founders who had gone on to be their group's leader.
Heather Boushey was the facilitator, Senior Economist at the Center for American Progress.
The three panelists were Kirsten Rowe-Finkbeiner, of MomsRising; Karen Nussbaum, of Working America (affiliated with the AFL-CIO); and Saru ("Sue") Jayaraman, of Restaurant Opportunities Centers United (ROC-United).
Kristen's cause is paid sick days, a rare "perk" [perk?] these days, what with benefits falling off our paychecks like autumn leaves. She said that 80 percent of workers don't have this perk, nor do 40 percent of the white- collar group.
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