(Akiit.com) “Every man is our brother, and every man’s burden is our own. Where poverty exists, all are poorer. Where hate flourishes, all are corrupted. Where injustice reins, all are unequal.” – Whitney M. Young
The Main Street Marshall Plan, the National Urban League’s comprehensive blueprint for addressing lack of opportunity and economic inequality in America’s urban communities, has been introduced as federal legislation by members of the Congressional Black Caucus.
The National Urban League long has advocated for a major national commitment to alleviate poverty and expand economic opportunities in America’s most neglected communities, modeled on the Marshall Plan that eliminated widespread poverty in Western Europe following World War II. Then-Executive Director Whitney M. Young first proposed a “Domestic Marshall Plan” in the 1960s; elements of that proposal were incorporatedi into President Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty.
In 1990, National Urban League President John E. Jacob urged Congress to shift $50 billion in defense spending — part of the so-called “peace dividend” resulting from the end of the Cold War —into an “Urban Marshall Plan.”
The Congressional Black Caucus’ Jobs and Justice Act, unveiled Thursday at a news conference at the U.S. Capitol, represents the most inclusive legislation of the Main Street Marshall Plan, first proposed as part of the 2016 State of Black America and finalized in detailed form last year.
Among the provisions of the bill based on the Main Street Marshall Plan, the Jobs and Justice Act:
As I said when we introduced the detailed Main Street Marshall plan a year ago, it is time for the nation to treat its urban communities and cities as the jewels that they are. This comprehensive plan to rebuilt and accelerate the growth of America’s urban communities will accelerate the growth and progress of the nation as a whole.
I urge you to contact your member of Congress and urge him or her to support the Jobs & Justice Act.