TCC Newsletter: December 2021
We are each other's harvest; we are each other's business; we are each other's magnitude
and bond. Gwendolyn Brooks
In this issue...
International Day for the Abolition of Slavery
Thursday December 2nd was the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery. This year marked the 72nd anniversary of the day, adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations Convention for the Suppression and trafficking of any person in 1949. As of today, the International Labor Organization estimates that there are still 40 million plus people globally who are victims of modern day slavery. These individuals include sex slaves, debt bondage slaves, forced marriage and human trafficking of all types.
The focus of International Day for the Abolition of Slavery is to bring awareness to the multiple forms of modern day slavery and the large numbers of victims who are currently being held in a form of modern day slavery globally. If you want to learn more about International Day for the Abolition of Slavery and learn how you can support the fight to end modern day slavery learn more here.
None of us are truly free until we are all free.
Collective Contributions
The Committed Collective is devoted to making major change in all U.S. communities. Each month in 2021 we will be highlighting our work with one an organization to donate, promote, sponsor or collaborate with.
This month The Committed Collective Board is doing our annual giving initiatives and have each chosen a charity to donate to. As we still remain in a pandemic, many U.S. households are struggling to make a standard living, especially families of color. This holiday season, if you are able, we encourage you to donate time, gifts, or monetary donations to help a family in your local community or nationwide.
The Committed Collective 2021 Holiday Donation Organizations:
"The time is always right to do what is right."
Since January 20, 1986, the United States has recognized and celebrated Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The celebration is meant to commemorate both his life, and achievements in the ongoing fight for civil rights. This year, members of Dr. King's family want civil rights supporters to change their approach for honoring his legacy.
If Congress fails to pass laws to strengthen voter rights by Jan.15 (Dr. King's birthday), the family is calling for peaceful protests at bridges nationwide. Starting on Jan. 15, the King family will attend voter rights protests in Arizona. They will also plan to protest at the new Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 17 (this year's MLK Day). This call to action follows months of fighting within Congress that led to an infrastructure bill but prevented voting rights reform. The goal is to use the lack of celebration as an act of solidarity to push Congress.
How can you get involved? Reach out to your senators to support and vote for the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, the Freedom to Vote Act and other voter rights initiatives. Next, stay ready to recognize MLK Day as needed to #championchangenow.near future.