Astronaut Mae Jemison, first African-American woman in space, aboard the Shuttle Endeavour, September 1992.
Astronaut Mae Jemison, first African-American woman in space, seen here aboard the Shuttle Endeavour, September 1992. Via @usnatarchives.
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“Each February, we are reminded of our country’s greatest African American leaders with the celebration of Black History Month. Black
History Month provides us an opportunity not only to reflect on those
who advocate on behalf of the African American community, but also to
examine the critical concerns and issues facing African Americans today.
Even with all of the progress made over the past half-century, African
Americans still represent a disproportionate share of our nation’s poor.” - Congresswoman Gwen Moore.
The National Committee is celebrating Black History Month! We would like to thank our hard working advocates!
Happy Birthday to astronaut Mae Jemison, first African-American woman in space, seen here aboard the Shuttle Endeavour, September 1992. She was born October 17, 1956 in Decatur, Alabama.
Today is the first day of African American History Month. We wanted to share these three facts on why Social Security is vital to African Americans.
Some believe that race or ethnicity doesn’t matter when it comes to reforming Social Security. But this perspective ignores the fact that there are demographic winners and losers depending on how the program is structured. For example, raising the retirement age—a popular reform option among Republicans and some Democrats—disadvantages those with shorter life spans: a group that is blacker, browner, poorer, and more blue-collar than those who live longer.
Social Security is a very successful anti-poverty program especially for communities of color. It is important to protect these benefits for all Americans.
Some politicians, backed by the billion dollar anti Social Security and Medicare lobby, have tried to use a series of self-created Congressional fiscal “crises” to justify benefit cuts to millions of American families.
Medicare and Social Security are sometimes referred to as “entitlements.” In reality, they are promises. They are social insurance programs that prevent poverty in our golden years and they help our parents and grandparents live the comfortable and dignified retirement they deserve. These programs keep America’s promise to our seniors and protect the health of the most vulnerable.
Representative Steven Horsford via Entitled to Know.
The strength of Social Security will be more important than ever because people of color are the least likely to have other sources of wealth to rely on in retirement or in the event of disability or the early death of a breadwinner.