The Supreme Court landed on the wrong side of history so many times.

But we are not alone as we resist and stand against the denial of our HUMAN RIGHTS! 

Though politically and emotionally devastated by their rulings, on Abortion / Women's Reproductive Rights, weakening of Miranda Warnings, section 4 of Voting Rights Act, etc., we will not accept the desolate neo-fascist world these ruling wealthy powers that be envision for us working class, oppressed and poor people.

It's not as inevitable, if we all unite, resist and act! Mariame Kaba says, “Let this radicalize you rather than lead you to despair. Let’s not go back, let’s build something together.” A better society and world is possible if we all join together and act!

‘What To The Slave Is The Fourth Of July?’:

Descendants Read Frederick Douglass' Speech

Letter to the FOLWCC Editorial Team

Lots of conversation in my workplace and community about the U.S. Supreme Court's decision going against the majority of the masses of working people standing with women's rights and Pro-Choice!

Some Black people in my "hood", especially men, are on the wrong side of history. We should support Black and all women's freedom of choice and HUMAN RIGHT to reproductive freedom...

 We can not help but think about this famous poem by a Black man poet, Langston Hughes, about a Black mother supporting her Black son. Enjoy.

Abortion Choice is a Women's Human Right/Poem

Mother to Son

By Langston Hughes

Well, son, I’ll tell you:

Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.

It’s had tacks in it,

And splinters,

And boards torn up,

And places with no carpet on the floor—

Bare.

But all the time

I’se been a-climbin’ on,

And reachin’ landin’s,

And turnin’ corners,

And sometimes goin’ in the dark

Where there ain’t been no light.

So boy, don’t you turn back.

Don’t you set down on the steps

’Cause you finds it’s kinder hard.

Don’t you fall now—

For I’se still goin’, honey,

I’se still climbin’,

And life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.

In loving solidarity with all women around the world fighting patriarchy, male chauvinism, all forms of gender oppression and exploitation.

July 2022 Calendar

Thanks to all who voted and helped us be a Best Kept Secret Finalist in the Indy Week Newspaper’s Best in the Triangle 2022!

3rd, Sunday; 4:00-5:30 PM

What to the Slave is the 4th of July – A video preview, reading, and discussion about Fredrick Douglas’s famous speech delivered on July 5th, 1852; refreshments; rsvp to (919) 876-7187 or fruitoflaborwcc@netscape.com

7th, Thursday; 6:15 PM

Virtual Flex & Flow – Power Yoga, Core Conditioning & Breath Class, taught by Donnae; Black bodies being murdered by police, mass shootings, rising inflation, grief, anxiety, and depression are things that impact our mental and physical health. Participate in this FREE class to help begin to release this trauma.         Zoom ID: 726 613 3422 Passcode: 2468

16th, Saturday; 9:30-10:30 AM

Workin’ It Out – a Free Community Exercise Class; Our exercise classes in the parking lot are back!! Stretching, toning, aerobic, dance – we’ve got it all for participants who are beginners, may have limitations or are advanced. Plus, we’ll have 10 minute “Livin’ More than Just Enough” Health talks about overcoming disparities and healthcare access in our communities. So, come out, bring your towel and be ready to get on the road to better fitness and to building healthier lifestyles in Black and Brown communities. Water and healthy snacks will be available. RSVP to Nathanette at (919) 876-7187 or nlmayo5@yahoo.com

16th, Saturday; 10:00-11:00 AM

Financial Health Workshop-Using the 5 Laws of Credit to buy your home or make basic family investments during present hard times. You must e-mail or call our office at (919) 876-7187 to reserve your seat at the FOLWCC.

17th, Sunday; 4:00-5:00 PM 

Workers Know Your Rights Workshop with NC Chapter of National Conference of Black Lawyers member at FOLWCC outdoor café. 

17th, Sunday; 4:00-5:00 PM

Black Workers for Justice Women’s Commission Working Group hosts part 4 of a book review and discussion about Danielle L. McGuire’s “At the Dark End of the Street – Black Women, Rape and Resistance – a New History of the Civil Rights Movement from Rosa Parks to the Rise of Black Power”. This will be an in-person, at the FOLWCC, and virtual discussion. Call or text Wille Roberts at (252) 640-0944 for more information and to register.

23rd, Saturday; 11:00 AM-3:00 PM 

National Conference of Black Lawyers-NC Chapter RETREAT             

Raleigh, Place to be announced.

26th-30th, Tuesday-Saturday

RWDSU Union Convention in Atlanta Fruit of Labor performs at its Tuesday opening.

Denmark Vesey Executed in South Carolina for

Planning to Help Emancipate Enslaved People



https://calendar.eji.org/racial-injustice/jul/02

On July 2, 1822, Denmark Vesey, a free Black carpenter, was executed in Charleston, South Carolina, for planning to emancipate enslaved people. Weeks before his execution, Mr. Vesey was accused of designing a rebellion to emancipate thousands of enslaved Black people from Charleston and the surrounding plantations. Even though no rebellion ever occurred and no white people were harmed in any way, Mr. Vesey and 34 other people allegedly involved were executed.

In 1781, a Carolina-based slave trader named Joseph Vesey “purchased” Mr. Vesey, who was in his mid-teens at the time. Mr. Vesey was enslaved in Charleston for many years until he won a street lottery in 1799 that allowed him to “buy” his freedom. However, the man who enslaved his wife refused to allow him to “purchase” her freedom, so she remained in bondage. He became a carpenter and was a well-respected community member in Charleston. 

In 1818, Mr. Vesey co-founded an independent African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in Charleston that quickly attracted a congregation of over 1,800 members, making it one of the largest Black churches in the country. 

After Mr. Vesey was executed, white Charleston officials claimed the Black church had played a crucial role in the planning. They ordered the AME members to disperse and burned the church to the ground. Black churches were soon outlawed in Charleston; the AME church was the last Black church to exist there until after the Civil War. In 1865, under the leadership of Mr. Vesey’s son, Robert Vesey, the church was finally rebuilt. Nearly 200 years after Mr. Vesey’s execution, in 2015, a white 21-year-old attended bible study at the church—renamed the Emanuel AME Church—and opened fire on the other worshippers in attendance, all of whom were Black. 

State of NC Has $6.5 Billion in Surplus!

Join UE150 Political Action Day to make sure

it doesn't just go to corporate tax breaks!

ON Wednesday, June 22 | UE Local 150 and allies visited 

all our legislators at NC Legislative Building |16 W Jones Street, Raleigh

WE all held an Informational Picket and Press Conference!

SIGN THE LETTER ONLINE TO NC GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Join UE150 members and allies from across the state to demand:

• Pay raises of $3,000 across-the-board, in-range salary adjustments, plus a $2,000 bonus.
• Invest $6.5 Billion surplus into workers & services, not tax breaks for corporations & the wealthy!
• Healthcare for All - Expand Medicaid
• End Understaffing in DHHS State Operated Facilities
• Repeal the Ban on Collective Bargaining, GS 95-98
• Affordable Housing – Immediate rent forgiveness
• UNC System workers shouldn’t have to pay to come to work. Raise the minimum graduate employee’s stipends to $11,000 per semester, and eliminate parking fees.

RSVP by emailing us at organizeUE150@ueunion.org or calling President Sekia Royall at (919) 330-7345.

Can't make it? SIGN THE LETTER ONLINE TO NC GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Africa Now

Terry Callier 

Nina Simone on

BBC HARDtalk, 1999

A Conversation with Betty Carter (The Jazz Report Magazine) 1988