What we’re thinking about on International Workers’ Day

It’s International Workers’ Day. We’re thinking about all the workers who are operating without the proper protection equipment during this pandemic, including those in the medical field and those who work for delivery services and grocery stores, those who are striking today, and those who always work under dangerous circumstances, like sex workers and undocumented workers, some having to choose between rent or food.

We’re thinking about all the farm and factory workers who, during a pandemic, are deemed ‘essential,’ in order to put their health and safety on the line to supply us with food, but at the same time are harassed and threatened by those in their community, and vilified by politicians because of their race, native language, and citizenship status.

Those without paid time off. Those without health insurance. Those furloughed. Those who lost their jobs during this pandemic, including those who were trying to organize. Those who have lost their lives and those who have suffered severe stress and other anguish as a result of trying to do their jobs.

Those who work in libraries who have organized to close or spoken out, as well as those who have had to continue physically going to work or who might soon have to go back.

We’re especially thinking of the workers who identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC), who are especially vulnerable in this pandemic and victim-blamed.

Thank you to those who are repeatedly putting their health and safety on the line to keep our country going. Thank you to those speaking out and organizing. You’re incredibly important.