After marching, we visited the office of State Senator Rod Wright, where I had the opportunity to tell him why I support the California Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. The bill, which would provide basic wage and hour protections to domestic workers, will be considered by the Senate this year, having already been passed by the Assembly. As I entered the black and white marble tile in the stunning capitol building, I smiled, both confident and nervous prior to my first-ever legislative visit. In the Senator’s office we sat around a large brown table in huge, very comfortable chairs. A facilitator from my group introduced himself, explained the purpose of the Children’s March, and told the Senator why we wanted to share our stories with him. Despite my nervousness, I found my voice, explaining to Senator Wright that as a child I grew up with a house cleaner, Erica, who would come to work at our home every other Wednesday. My family always treated Erica with the utmost respect, paid her a fair wage and had her work a fair schedule for the amount she earned from us. But at a young age, I saw first-hand the vast inequalities that exist in our society. It frustrated me that Erica had to work such long days for her other employers. It was clear to me, even as a child, that Erica was taken advantage of because she spoke little English and desperately needed to provide for her sons. As a young Jewish activist, I explained to Senator Wright, I feel it is fundamentally important for the domestic workers’ bill to pass, not only for the well-being of these workers, but to put our state and our nation on a more ethical and economically just and viable footing. Paul Kivel, a Bay area resident who was part of our group, talked about how the National Labor Relations Act, which provides basic protections such as a minimum wage, has always excluded domestic workers. He made it clear that certain groups of people are still excluded from rights that most of us take for granted, and that a country that prides itself on offering freedom and justice must do a better job. Rabbi Jacobs explained how New York State passed a Domestic Workers Bill of Rights two years ago, pointing out that California now has the opportunity to be on the forefront of progress by becoming the second state in the nation to offer domestic workers basic protections. If California follows New York, it will create momentum for other states to pass similar legislation, and spark more widespread understanding of the importance of Domestic Workers Rights. As the day drew to a close, all of the Children’s March participants made a circle on the capitol steps. We were asked to pair up with a stranger and talk about what brought us there that day. I wound up with a Stanford student who wanted to learn more about the bill – information I was happy to be able to offer. A prayer was said and we all dispersed back to our cars, vans, and buses to go home. I stayed behind alone for a moment to say a personal prayer in front of the capitol. I felt fortunate and blessed to be part of the Jeremiah Fellowship, which brought me to this day, and to be able to learn about this issue, which is now such a big part of my life. Becca Israel is a Jeremiah Fellow with PJA & JFSJ, a graduate of San Diego State University and a resident of Oakland. Learn more about the Jeremiah Fellowship here. |
