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Senate Unanimously Approves a Bill to Make Juneteenth a Public Holiday

npr.org

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Re: Senate Unanimously Approves a Bill to Make Juneteenth a Public Holiday

#61

Post by Covzire »

spywaregorilla wrote: post #54
tick_tock_tick wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think you really need to put your idea in perspective. Christmas is barely the last hold out for holidays where the people who need time off to vote (retail, food service, other low wage high hour jobs) get at-least a bit of time off and that is being eaten into each year. Do you really think a federal holiday for voting would do anything but start a whole new round of election day door busters that make it even ha…

I don't think any of your reasoning makes sense here. It's weirdly aggressive and is sort of a think of the children, but with poor people. But your conclusion feels like the right call. A weird 180 imo.

They have a point though, every single US holiday is hell on low paid retail workers except for the few select stores that close on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Why would Voting day be any different?

"Election Sale, come in and vote for savings today only!" "We're open late, stop by after you cast your ballot for saaaaavings!"

Re: Senate Unanimously Approves a Bill to Make Juneteenth a Public Holiday

#62

Post by loonster »

eganist wrote: post #16

This is a good symbolic gesture, but making election day a federal holiday equivalent in standing with Christmas would have real and positive impact. But the latter never draws the votes in congress, so that should tell us how meaningless this vote truly was.

Make it a 1/2 day public holiday starting at 12pm. This way employees will be less likely to take Monday off and have a 4 day weekend.

Make serving as as working the polls equivalent to jury duty. All employers must give the days off if employee wants to work the polls.

Re: Senate Unanimously Approves a Bill to Make Juneteenth a Public Holiday

#63

Post by dalbasal »

nopzor wrote: post #37
Alex3917 wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

MLK’s birthday should be changed to Election Day. No extra day off, and everyone goes into the polls reminded of his legacy.

do you mean election day should be changed to MLK's birthday?

The Queens Birthday (a public holiday) is on a different date in different commonwealth countries... so maybe not that wild a suggestion.

Re: Senate Unanimously Approves a Bill to Make Juneteenth a Public Holiday

#64

Post by CheezeIt »

eganist wrote: post #16

This is a good symbolic gesture, but making election day a federal holiday equivalent in standing with Christmas would have real and positive impact. But the latter never draws the votes in congress, so that should tell us how meaningless this vote truly was.

A federal holiday is a day off for federal employees, and maybe some banks and such, not the entire country.

Re: Senate Unanimously Approves a Bill to Make Juneteenth a Public Holiday

#65

Post by spywaregorilla »

vfclists wrote: post #43

White people deciding what they feel Black people need. Black people don't need Juneteenth holidays. They need respect from the nation's institutions and they need to present and articulate their case for reparations in an emphatic and uncompromising manner.

Do you speak for all black people?

Re: Senate Unanimously Approves a Bill to Make Juneteenth a Public Holiday

#67

Post by Seattle3503 »

If anything the last few years showed me, it is that gestures do matter. Giving public recognition seems shallower cheap until you have a leader that refuses to observe even basic decencies.

Of course the work doesn't stop with public gestures, but what we publicly celebrate shows us what we collectively value.

Re: Senate Unanimously Approves a Bill to Make Juneteenth a Public Holiday

#68

Post by dalbasal »

vgel wrote: post #20
hanniabu wrote: post #3

It bothers me when they're quick to make empty efforts like this yet when it comes to doing anything that actually matters an overwhelming majority of them (on both sides) will vote against it.

I agree that it's frustrating that other efforts aren't being made, and this is easier, but I disagree it's an empty effort. Holidays, statues, rituals -- they're how we define ourselves as a society. They're important. Imagine how people would react if we tried to get rid of MLK day, or President's day, or the extreme negative reaction to proposals to cede Mt. Rushmore? They're symbols of the American national ident…

There's a difference between empty and symbolic.

Re: Senate Unanimously Approves a Bill to Make Juneteenth a Public Holiday

#69

Post by vfclists »

spywaregorilla wrote: post #65
vfclists wrote: post #43

White people deciding what they feel Black people need. Black people don't need Juneteenth holidays. They need respect from the nation's institutions and they need to present and articulate their case for reparations in an emphatic and uncompromising manner.

Do you speak for all black people?

Have I claimed that I speak for all Black people?

Re: Senate Unanimously Approves a Bill to Make Juneteenth a Public Holiday

#70

Post by walkedaway »

baggy_trough wrote: post #5

"Republican legislation to limit teaching a historically accurate picture of U.S. history in public institutions has advanced in some half a dozen states." Mind-boggling propaganda.

Not mind-boggling at all when you consider the source: NPR.
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