Picketers representing the National Association of Colored Women march past the White House in Washington, DC, July 30, 1956, carrying posters protesting the lynching of four Black people in Georgia [File: AP]
Today much of the world marks International Women’s Day. From Afghanistan to Guinea-Bissau and the United States, March 8 is recognised as the day to celebrate the achievements of women’s rights movements.
The origins of International Women’s Day can be traced to New York where, in 1908, thousands of garment workers went on strike, marching through the streets of the city to demand better pay and working conditions. Several years later, European feminists held a meeting in Copenhagen where they agreed to establish an international day to commemorate the women’s struggle. In 1911, March 8 was celebrated internationally for the first time.
others. regardless of what they look like or where they come from or what their last name is or what faith they practice. but while we trumpet ratification of a 13th amendment, let s also take a moment to read it carefully. neither slavery nor involuntary servitude except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the united states or any place subject to their jurisdiction. notice that, except as punishment for crime. this often forgotten clause. the little carve out for continued slavery and involuntary servitude so long as it is in response to conviction for a crime. chattal slavery fell in the aftermath of passage of the 13th amendment. but the modern incarceration state was born in those same years. it began with a convict lease system that returned many newly emancipated black men to the very plantations where they had