DC Statehood Is A Matter Of Racial Justice

Jump to today’s actions:

Call the Senate
Call the House

Background

The majority of Americans living in DC are BIPOC. They are currently treated as wards of the federal government. Couched in typical code words and dog whistles, Republicans who oppose DC statehood are actually supporting a bulwark of racism and white supremacy.

Black men gained the right to vote in Washington 3 years before the 15th amendment, and Black citizens began to gain significant power. Following Reconstruction, the territorial status of Washington and voting rights were removed by Congress. As a senator from Alabama said, after “the negroes came into this district,” it became necessary to “deny the right of suffrage entirely to every human being...” “to burn down the barn to get rid of the rats.”

The structure of the Senate already gives outsized power to rural, white voters. One of their spokesmen, Tom Cotton of Arkansas, argued against statehood for DC, yet supported full representation for less populated Wyoming. When he justified it because, unlike DC, Wyoming is a “well-rounded working-class state”, they understood he meant “white”.

There are many reasons why DC statehood is the right thing to do. And ending the disenfranchisement of its citizens is also an important step towards building a racially just society.

1. Call the Senate.

Script Oregon Senators

SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753

My name is [--] and I'm a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

Denying the rights of statehood to the American citizens of Washington, DC is a part of the racist history of white supremacy and Jim Crow in this country. It is suppression of the voices, votes and power of Black Americans. I want to thank the Senator for supporting DC statehood, and I’m asking him to continue to work for Senate bill S51, including filibuster reform needed to pass it.

SEN. WYDEN: Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

Denying the rights of statehood to the American citizens of Washington, DC is a part of the racist history of white supremacy and Jim Crow in this country. It is suppression of the voices, votes and power of Black Americans. I want to thank the Senator for supporting DC statehood, and I’m asking him to continue to work for Senate bill S51, including filibuster reform needed to pass it.

Script for Republican Senators

D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].

Denying the rights of statehood to the American citizens of Washington, DC is a part of the racist history of white supremacy and Jim Crow in this country. It is suppression of the voices, votes and power of Black Americans. There are many reasons why DC statehood is the right thing to do. Ending the disenfranchisement of its citizens is also an important step towards building a racially just society, and I expect my Senator to support DC statehood and vote for S 51.

2. Call the House.

Look up your rep.

Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)

Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

Denying the rights of statehood to the American citizens of Washington, DC is a part of the racist history of white supremacy and Jim Crow in this country. It is suppression of the voices, votes and power of Black Americans. I want to thank the Representative for co-sponsoring Rep. Eleanor Holmes-Norton's bill for DC statehood, and I’m asking her to continue working for it.

Script for Cliff Bentz (OR-02)

Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

Denying the rights of statehood to the American citizens of Washington, DC is a part of the racist history of white supremacy and Jim Crow in this country. It is suppression of the voices, votes and power of Black Americans. I am saddened that my Representative did not co-sponsoring H 51, Rep. Eleanor Holmes-Norton's bill for DC statehood. I am calling to say that I expect him to vote for it, in committee and when it comes to the floor of the House.

Script for Earl Blumenauer (OR-03)

Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

Denying the rights of statehood to the American citizens of Washington, DC is a part of the racist history of white supremacy and Jim Crow in this country. It is suppression of the voices, votes and power of Black Americans. I want to thank the Representative for co-sponsoring Rep. Eleanor Holmes-Norton's bill for DC statehood, and I’m asking him to continue working for it.

Script for Peter DeFazio (OR-04)

Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

Denying the rights of statehood to the American citizens of Washington, DC is a part of the racist history of white supremacy and Jim Crow in this country. It is suppression of the voices, votes and power of Black Americans. I want to thank the Representative for co-sponsoring Rep. Eleanor Holmes-Norton's bill for DC statehood, and I’m asking him to continue working for it.

Script for Kurt Schrader (OR-05)

Salem office: 503-588-9100 | DC office: 202-225-5711

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

Denying the rights of statehood to the American citizens of Washington, DC is a part of the racist history of white supremacy and Jim Crow in this country. It is suppression of the voices, votes and power of Black Americans. I want to thank the Representative for co-sponsoring Rep. Eleanor Holmes-Norton's bill for DC statehood, and I’m asking him to continue working for it.