Lift up every voice and sing — The STAND

A Juneteenth reflection

By CHERIKA CARTER
(June 19, 2024)

Lift up every voice and sing,
Until earth and heaven resound,
Resonate with the harmonies of freedom;
Let our joy rise
High as the listening sky,
Let it echo loudly like the surging sea.

These powerful words begin “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” a song that has become known as the black national anthem. Written by James Weldon Johnson and his brother John Rosamond Johnson, this anthem resonates deeply in the black community and celebrates resilience, hope, and the ongoing fight for equality. Today, these words have even greater meaning and are sung throughout the day at many Juneteenth celebrations.

Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 when news of the Emancipation Proclamation finally reached Galveston, Texas, freeing the last enslaved Black people in the United States. This was more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the proclamation. Juneteenth is a day to celebrate the resilience of Black people in the United States, reflect on the long road to freedom, and recognize the ongoing struggle for equality and justice.

This day is not only a historic milestone, but also a reminder of the role of the labor movement in the fight for justice and equality. The labor movement has always been closely linked to the struggle for black liberation. From the time of slavery to the present day, black workers have faced systematic exploitation and discrimination. Despite the abolition of slavery over 160 years ago, black labor continues to be undervalued and underpaid. Black workers earn 30 to 35 percent less than their white counterparts, face higher unemployment rates due to discrimination, and are often passed over for advancement opportunities, resulting in trillions of dollars in lost wages.

The lines “Stony the road we trod, bitter the chastening rod…” from the black national anthem reflect the hardships that black Americans have endured both historically and in contemporary society. Juneteenth is a time to recognize these struggles and reaffirm our commitment to eliminating the economic and legal inequalities that persist. The labor movement plays a critical role in this fight by working to close wage gaps, ensure dignity in the workplace, and amplify the voices of black workers.

As Secretary-Treasurer of the WSLC, I have an unwavering commitment to racial justice and economic justice. The WSLC is deeply committed to racial justice and is guided by our Constitution, which calls us to:

“we resolutely oppose the forces that seek to undermine our nation’s democratic institutions and enslave the human soul. We always strive to win full respect for the dignity of the human individual our unions serve. We recognize that the fates of all workers – whether Black, Brown, Indigenous, Asian, or white – are interconnected and that we either rise or fail together. We will win when all workers are recognized and empowered. By recognizing that economic justice and racial equity are inextricably linked, we commit to sharing responsibility for racial justice and equity. We actively work together to achieve the transformation we seek in our unions, workplaces, and communities. Our commitment to racial justice is reflected in our efforts to create inclusive workplaces and advocate for policies that empower marginalized communities.”

When I reflect on my own family’s story of freedom, it is a story of both hope and heartache. My great, great, great grandfather, Payton Pauley, was freed from slavery in 1847. In 1849, with the help of his brother Douglass Paytons, they purchased 8 children and relocated the family to Ohio above the Mason-Dixon line. On June 6, 1850, all 8 children, between the ages of 4 and 17, were stolen and sold back into slavery in Kentucky and Virginia.

My grandfather Payton tried to use every tool of the legal system at his disposal to get his children back. But there weren’t many options for a black man in 1850. With the help of some abolitionists and due to the political climate of the time, my family’s story reached the ears of the Governor of Ohio. 4 of his children were returned in 1851. My great, great, great grandfather Harrison Pauley remained enslaved in Virginia along with 3 of his siblings until they were freed by the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. In my grandfather’s attempts to get his children back, he had to navigate a court, judicial and political system that was not designed for him or my family. But even so, he persisted.

I share my family’s story of freedom because it illustrates why electoral politics is so important to me. Dealing with the United States’ institutional racism and its deeply entrenched racist systems remains a constant challenge for Black people. This very struggle is why I am drawn to politics; I believe we must be actively engaged to drive change from within. Participating in the political process allows us to advocate for our communities and work toward the abolition of these oppressive structures. Voting is critical. It is not just a right, but a powerful tool to ensure our voices are heard and our interests represented. As we march into the light to make meaningful progress, we must be at the table and advocate for policies that advance justice and equality for all.

The importance of voting cannot be overstated. This election cycle is crucial because it is about freedom and democracy and our most powerful weapon is our vote.

I was recently elected Corresponding Secretary of the International Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU). Founded in 1972, the CBTU is the independent voice of black workers within the trade union movement and calls on unions to be more responsive to the needs and aspirations of black and poor workers.

Cherika poses with the Rising Star Award at the CBTU Convention in May. Photo courtesy of Kevin Allen.

Our theme this year is “Never go back, always go forward: hate cannot wipe us out.” This year’s theme is meant to remind us how far we have come and that we must defend the gains we have made and recognize the struggles ahead. Voting is not just a right, but an important tool in the fight for justice and equality for all working people.

The words “Let us keep marching until victory is won” from the black national anthem embody the spirit of Juneteenth and the labor movement. They remind us that the fight for freedom and equality continues. They remind us that this fight needs all of us, united across race and place. And these words remind us that we must keep marching forward until we achieve racial and economic justice for all.

Juneteenth is a day to celebrate the future of Black people, reflect on the progress we have made, and recognize the work that still needs to be done. The labor movement, the WSLC, and the CBTU have been and continue to be a powerful force for change and stand up for the rights and dignity of all workers. As we raise every voice and sing, let us also raise our hearts and hands in the fight for justice and equality. Happy Juneteenth!

Cherika Carter is secretary-treasurer of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO. Along with WSLC President April Sims, Carter is part of the first team of black women to lead an AFL-CIO state chapter.