Although voting is a fundamental right and a powerful tool to facilitate social change, the U.S. has a long history of disenfranchising Black political power and barring Black voters from effectively participating in electoral politics. In addition to a complex history with voting, in 2024, on the cusp of a critical presidential election, Black voters express growing disinterest in voting, given the ongoing lack of trust and general interest in the presidential election caused by the perception of a recurring cycle circulating false hopes and broken promises every four years.
New Voices for Reproductive Justice understands the continual gap between what is promised during elections and what is actually done once politicians are in office. We know that our liberation cannot be legislated and also recognize that voting is a tool that we can use to represent our voices in our
ongoing fight for safe and healthy communities, better education for our children, better-paying jobs, and an overall improved quality of life. We seek to build power for and alongside Black women, Black queer folks, and Black marginalized people in an authentic and unapologetic way that empowers our people to use our voices and exercise our rights.
This zine is a community-centered election guide equipped with voter information, policy notes, and community information and opportunities for you to know what’s going on in your backyard, and what you can do about it. Use this as a tool to help you navigate the upcoming election experience and be a community champion beyond this November.
WHY ARE YOU VOTING?................................................
WHAT IS VOTER SUPPRESSION? ............................. BE VOTER SMART.........................................................
DATES TO REMEMBER..................................................
BE VOTER READY..........................................................
WHO’S ON THE BALLOT? .............................................
SUPREME COURT DECISIONS THAT IMPACT YOU ........
ABSENTEE BALLOT AND MAIL IN BALLOTS .................
KNOW YOUR (VOTING)RIGHTS .....................................
FEATURED ARTIST: JAYE MCNEIL.................................
DEFENDING OUR KIN: TAHIRA FORTUNE .....................
MUTUAL AID IN PHL .....................................................
REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE IN PHL .................................
WHAT IS POLICY?.........................................................
PENNSYLVANIA POLICY: NEED TO KNOW.....................
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF............................................
Since March 2024
New Voices has been contacting people throughout Pennsylvania to talk about why they may be feeling apathetic or reserved about the voting process. Feeling “apathetic” means you have no interest or enthusiasm when it comes to the Election and voting. Most of the folks we talked to said that they “distrust the system” and secondly, feel uninformed about the issues relevant to the campaign as well as the candidates.
To help us understand this more deeply, we began surveying our communities on their thoughts about the electoral process. Thirty-one percent of people we polled were neutral about the voting process (don't love it but don’t hate it either), but 45% (almost half) had negative feelings toward the voting process as a whole. People that we spoke with also report that our current electoral process is antiquated, needs significant
improvement, is not fair, and is discouraging.
This also means that 76% of people we surveyed do not fully believe or trust the Electoral process in this country.
The primary needs that impact people’s participation come down to four buckets: Resources, Protection of Rights, Education, and Reducing Violence in neighborhoods. When people mention resources, they want more career opportunities and better-paying jobs, help with childcare, and housing security. When people mentioned the rights they wanted to protect, Reproductive Rights were the most prominent. People also want to see a significant drop in violence and want some form of gun control and common sense legislation, in addition to meaningful opportunities for youth to learn, grow, and contribute to their communities.
Voter information and Political Education (the development of shared language, understanding, and a vision around definable politics, communal aspirations, and an understanding of the distinctions between our aligned positions and where we disagree) are necessary. Our neighbors do not know about the races taking place on the local level and often do not know how and where to vote.
Community members also expressed they’d like to see local organizations more intimately involved in what is happening throughout our city and various neighborhoods. We learned that people want more opportunities to gather, have their voices heard, and receive the necessary education needed to make informed decisions when participating in elections - and do not appreciate or benefit from political parties or
organizations attempting to “scare” them into voting. Our neighbors also shared that they want to be able to rely on local organizations for information so they can share it with their friends, families, and extensive networks.
New Voices for Reproductive Justice is committed to distributing mutual aid (resources that help fill the gap from societal and governmental direct service holes), providing leadership development opportunities to help cultivate Philadelphia’s next generation of change makers, and sharing political education tools, like this one.
We hear you. We stand with you. We ARE you. Our power is local. Imagine More. Demand More.
Voter suppression is a tactic that restricts the voting process and disproportionately impacts Black, and other marginalized people (like people who are economically disadvantaged, immigrants, etc.), who have been historically and systemically disenfranchised and continue to be today. It limits resources and education and restricts the eligibility and access for voters needed to make informed political decisions for themselves and their families.
Voter suppression are restrictive rules and tactics pertaining to voting that are usually masked in legislation. Often times, these rules are hidden and may come as a surprise when you attempt to cast your vote.
Here are some examples:
> Unexpectedly closing polling places, which redirects droves of people to a new polling place, causing confusion and long lines. These tactics often deter people from following through with casting their vote. If you are in line before the polls close at 8:00 PM, YOU ARE STILL ABLE TO VOTE AFTER THE POLLING PLACE CLOSES. Stay in line! Find information about how to check your polling place on page 9.
KEEP THESE DATES IN MIND WHEN CREATING YOUR VOTING PLAN.
> The last day to register to vote before the General Election in PA is October 21, 2024 (See page 9 for registration information.)
> Early In-Person Voting ends on October 29, 2024.
> If you are in the Military or will be overseas on Election Day, absentee voting begins on September 20th. Your completed mailin or absentee ballot must be returned by 8:00 PM on
November 5, 2024. See page 14 for more information on Absentee ballots.
> Election Day is November 5, 2024. Polls are open from 7:00 AM until 8:00 PM.
As voter suppression tactics become more advanced, it’s important to know your voter registration status prior to EVERY Election. Make sure that your vote, and voice, counts. For more information about voter registration, scan this QR or visit bit.ly/ PennsylvaniaVoterReg.
To check your registration status, visit bit.ly/PAcheckreg
The last day to register to vote before the General Election is October 21, 2024. Registering can be done online or
in person at the Board of Elections by 9:00 PM. Scan this QR or visit bit.ly/ PACountyElections to find your county election office.
To find your polling place, scan this QR or visit bit.ly/ PennsylvaniaPollingLocator
With so many candidates running in the upcoming election, for various offices, understanding candidates and their platforms is important in order to make an informed decision when casting your vote. Here is a full list of your candidates so that you can get familiar with them before heading to the polls:
The President of the United States is the person in charge of the Executive Branch of our Federal Government. They have a wide array of responsibilities, but they make sure that the laws passed by Congress are enforced. This happens through appointing people to be in charge of Federal agencies as well as appointing Federal judges.
The candidates for President of the United States are Kamala Harris, our current Vice-President, as the Democratic nominee, and former President Donald Trump, as the Republican nominee.
The US Senate is the most powerful part of the Legislative branch. The Legislative Branch has two parts, the Senate and the House. The Senate creates balance in the Legislative Branch because each state has the same number of Senate representatives (2), unlike the House, which represents the population of each state. Senate representatives serve 6-year terms, which gives them the ability to focus on passing laws and budgets without consistently focusing on re-election. They also have the power to enforce any impeachment that the House of Representatives passes. To learn more about the
difference between U.S. and State Senators, visit page 27.
The candidates for United States Senate to represent Pennsylvania are Bob Casey as the Democratic nominee, and David McCormick, as the Republican nominee. To view more information about these candidates, visit bit.ly/ PGHcandidates
The State Attorney General is the chief enforcer of the law within the states. They have the ability to punish organized crime happening within states, and to bring forth lawsuits that uphold their state’s laws.
The candidates for State Attorney General in Pennsylvania are Eugene DePasquale, as the Democratic nominee, and Dave Sunday, as the Republican nominee.
The State Auditor General is the Chief Officer of the Executive branch in the state. They are tasked with making sure money is spent where and how it was budgeted. The Auditor General makes sure that taxpayer dollars are spent legally and properly.
The candidates for State Auditor General in Pennsylvania are Malcolm Kenyatta, as the Democratic nominee, and Timothy DeFoor, as the Republican nominee, who is currently the State Auditor General for PA. State Treasurer serves as the person who manages over $150 Billion in Pennsylvania’s funds. They must keep a receipt of anything spent or given to the state. They also manage and watch over the funds of many agencies tasked with empowering families through financial means, local governments, and nonprofits in the state.
The candidates for State Treasurer in Pennsylvania are Erin McClelland, as the Democratic nominee, and Stacy Garrity, as the Republican nominee, who is currently the State Treasurer for PA.
To view more information about these and other candidates, visit www.vote411. org/plan-your-vote. Enter y our address and it will show you all of the races on your ballot. Select the race to learn more about these candidates.
Many people have expressed feeling overwhelmed at the polls because they don’t feel familiar with the issues and candidates they are voting on. Begin to familiarize yourself before the Election with these Supreme Court decisions that impact us locally. Over the last two years, we have seen important rulings that directly impact us in our communities. These cases are extremely important and who is on our Supreme Court is directly tied to this upcoming election.
Justices serve on the Supreme Court until they choose to
9 Justices, the President has the right to nominate another when a vacancy occurs.
It is likely that two Justices will step down from their positions in the coming years and open up the opportunity for the next President to nominate new judges to be voted on by Congress. Having Supreme Court Justices that value freedom, autonomy, and the self-determination of the people is another reason why this presidential election is so critical.
Here are a few recent rulings you should know about: Moyle v. United States challenged The Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), a nearly 40-year-old federal law requiring hospitals to provide treatment for emergency medical complications. The Biden administration’s 2022 guidance reiterated that EMTALA, as federal law, supersedes state laws when it comes to abortion care, meaning if a state
has an abortion ban but a pregnant person is in need of an emergency abortion, it must still be provided. Lower courts sided against the Biden administration, saying state bans supersede EMTALA, this prompted the Biden administration to bring it to The Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court dismissed the appeal and sent it back to the lower courts. So, while this a brief reprieve, it is not the last attack antiabortion advocates will levy against EMTALA.
In the City of Grants Pass v. Johnson, three unhoused individuals filed a class action lawsuit in the city of Grants Pass, Oregon which argued that a City ordinance against homelessness was unconstitutional because it violated the Eighth Amendment, constituting “cruel and unusual punishment”. If someone is seen to be unhoused, or sleeping outside, a person could face hundreds of dollars in fines and jail time.
The Supreme Court reversed the Court of Appeals opinion, ruling that punishing a person for sleeping in public does not constitute as cruel and unusual punishment. According to The United States Solicitor General, the Court of Appeals was correct in holding the Eighth Amendment however, the ruling may have been different if the District Court did not certify unhoused people as a class, rather than examining the individual circumstances of each person to whom the ordinances are applied.
Absentee voting is a way to cast a ballot in an election without voting in person at a polling place or voting center. This is ideal for students who are away from home and can not make it to their polling place, active military members, or elderly or disabled folks who are physically unable to make it to the polls.
To vote with an absentee ballot, you must share on the application why you are unable to physically go to your polling place. Absentee applications require that you provide your name and the address where you are registered to vote. The application also asks for a driver’s license number, identification card number, or the last four digits of your Social Security number. This information is checked with
the voter rolls to confirm that you are who you say you are. If you plan to vote using a mail-in or absentee ballot in the 2024 general election held on November 5, 2024, your completed application must be received by your county election office by 5:00 PM on October 29, 2024. Your completed mailin or absentee ballot must be returned by 8:00 PM on November 5, 2024.
Scan this QR or visit bit.ly/PGHAbsentee for an application to obtain your absentee ballot.
Scan this QR or visit bit. ly/PGHcountyelection to find your county election office.
You can apply to vote by mail and don’t have to provide a reason for why you want to vote by mail ballot. To apply for a mail-in ballot, scan this QR, or visit bit.ly/ PGHAbsentee
Your county election office must RECEIVE your completed mail-in ballot by 8:00 PM on November 5, 2024. A postmark by this day and time will not be sufficient.
Do you have questions or concerns about mailing in your ballot? Scan this QR or visit bit.ly/protectedvote for how your vote remains protected.
I n light of numerous efforts to limit the participation of voters from marginalized communities in the 2024 election, it’s crucial to fully understand your rights as a voter.
You have the right to vote if you’re in line when the polls close. Polls close at 8:00 PM on Election Day (November 5th).
> U.S. Armed Forces ID
> Student ID
> Employer ID
Acceptable non-photo IDs include:
> A non-photo ID issued by the state or federal government
> A current utility bill
> A firearm permit
> A current bank statement
> A current paycheck
> A current government check
Only voters who are voting for the first time in their election district need to show identification. Acceptable forms of ID can be either photo and non- photo ID. Non-photo ID must have your name and current address on it. Your photo ID must be valid and not expired.
Acceptable forms of photo ID include:
> PA driver’s license or PennDOT ID card
> ID issued by any Commonwealth agency
> ID issued by the U.S. Government
> U.S. passport
Your right to vote can be challenged by an election official, poll watcher, or other voter if you do not live in the precinct or if they don’t think you are who you say you are. You can still vote by signing a challenge affidavit and producing a witness. Call the Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-6878683) if you need assistance. This is a nonpartisan Election Protection Hotline. You can also call this number if someone tries to harass or intimidate you. If you
experience harassment, you may also tell an election official or call your county board of elections.
Find your county board of elections at bit.ly/ PGHcountyelection
If it doesn’t appear that you are on the voting list, ask the election official to check the list again or to look at the supplemental list, which is a list of recent changes to the voting rolls. Offer to spell your name. If an election official tells you that you are at the wrong polling place, ask for help finding the right polling place. You can also call your county board of elections or look up your polling place at VOTESPA.COM. If you believe you’re at the right polling place but your name isn’t on the voter list, ask for a provisional ballot.
A provisional ballot is used to record your vote when there’s a question about your eligibility. It will only be counted if election officials determine after the election that you were eligible to vote.
You should use a provisional ballot only if there is no other way for you to vote.
Report any broken voting equipment to 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) and to your county board of elections.
If half or more of the voting equipment is not working, election officials must allow you to vote with a paper ballot known as an emergency paper ballot.
Even if you have a criminal conviction, you may still be eligible to register to vote and participate in the 2024 election. Here’s what you need to know:
You can register and vote if you:
> Are a pre-trial detainee confined in a penal institution awaiting trial on charges of a felony or a misdemeanor
> Were ever convicted of a misdemeanor
> Got released or will get released by the date of the next election from a correctional
the term of incarceration for conviction of a felony
> Are on probation or released on parole; this includes parolees who are living in a halfway house
> Are under “house arrest” (home confinement); you can vote no matter your conviction status or the status of the conditions of confinement
If you are currently incarcerated, your residence for voter registration is:
> Your last known address before confinement, or a new residence established while confined; for example, if your spouse moves to a new address where you intend to live when you get released.
> When registering to vote, you cannot use an institution of incarceration, or a halfway house, as your residence address. However, you may use these locations as an address to receive mail.
> Are currently incarcerated for conviction of a felony and will not get released from confinement until after the next election
> Are in a halfway house or other alternative correctional facility on prerelease status for conviction of a felony and will not be released until after the date of the next election
> Got convicted of violating any provision of the Pennsylvania Election Code within the last four years
You are not eligible
Jaye McNeil is an Army Veteran, Retired Law Enforcement, University Student, Writer, and Volunteer with SisterSpace, an annual celebration of women’s community, music, and culture. The personal is political because “the peril of democracy is apathy. This piece is a call to action for citizens
“On Tuesday, 6, November 2018 at 10:30 am, I and a contingent of enthusiastic citizens foiled the swiftly ensuing peril of democracy; by taking advantage of the opportunity to vote.
The current climate of political dissatisfaction has made many people enthusiastic participants in the time- honored democratic process. Voting booths which formerly had been disregarded and left languishing in corners with cobwebs threatening to cast them into obscurity, have now been dusted off and given new opportunities for vitality. In response to the strong opinions on both sides, the previously devalued opportunities to vote were now behaving like a newly revitalized Clark Kent jumping into a nearby phone booth and yielding a Superman showing of voters unseen in the last several decades…
The voting lines were slow, but steady. Many of the people looked desperate for the opportunity to vigorously utilize their right to vote. Older people with canes, younger people with half-shaved heads, all
were united in a desire to participate in the process of making their voices heard by utilizing their right to vote.
My turn is here. I enter the booth and make my selections. By using less than one pound of pressure on the button marked VOTE, I exert my influence. This may be my only opportunity to bring my political ideas and sentiments to fruition. With this minute act, I am choosing legislators who will represent my interest, and I am participating in the political process by casting my vote.
Six years later the citizens of our nation once again prepare to vote for the political concerns and ethical direction of our country. In the coliseum of the voting booth, we act as temporary gladiators, soldiers, warriors, knights, and mutual combatants restricted from the use of swords, guns, fists, or any other weapon with the exception of our good intentions and our right to vote. Enter the arena with the good of the country in mind, then use your vote wisely.”
Tahira Fortune, Founder of Voices by Choices
Tahira Fortune unfortunately lost her son to gun violence and wanted to create a safe haven for families to have a place to be around those which may offer support, empathy and resources. It was very important to her to establish a space like this after realizing that there is a gap in support services for people who need this type of care. She founded Voices by Choices, a non-profit organization serving mothers and families who have lost children to violence. The mission of VBC is to provide a place of refuge for families to gain emotional support in coping with the devastating psychological toll of losing a child to violence. Tahira believes lives can be saved by doing the work necessary of creating a better future and holding space to grieve and heal from loss. All who
need emotional assistance, resources, or advice are welcome. Tahira invites self care practices and resources, coordinates giveaways, and creates events with mothers and children in mind. She is expanding from serving mothers in North Philadelphia to doing the same in West Philadelphia. To learn more about Voices by Choices, visit them online at voicesbychoices.com
Mutual aid is a community care model that New Voices embraces as a core part in our organizing. It is resourcing and empowering communities to care for themselves and one another while navigating the systems of oppression that impact the quality of our lives.
We believe that SistaTalkPHL embraces that model. SistaTalkPHL’s primary purpose is to empower and uplift the community. Through initiatives like Community Wash Days, they are able to assist up to 60 families per event, fostering hygiene and dignity. They host an annual Toy Giveaway which brightens the lives of over 200 families, offering toys and hot meals. They collaborate with other
mission-aligned organizations and community leaders to host various events in service of single mothers and low -income families, addressing their unique needs and creating a network of support for lasting positive change.
To learn more about SistaTalkPHL, follow them on Instagram at @sistatalkphl
The Coalition 4 Black Trans Economic Liberation (CBTEL) is a mutual aid group that filters money and resources to Black Trans people in Philly. They urge non-Black people to donate to requests for aid as a form of reparations. They also offer food distribution to the Black Trans community.
Learn more on Instagram
These initiatives and organizations uphold the values of Reproductive Justice in Philadelphia. Tap in.
Philly Joy Bank is a guaranteed income pilot that supports pregnant Philadelphians with cash, no strings attached, with a goal of improving birth outcomes. Black birthing people are the most impacted by maternal mortality and morbidity, with rates 3-4 times higher than our white counterparts. To check eligibility, visit phillyjoybank.org.
we.Reign creates safebrave spaces where young people who identify as Black and girl are visible, and their strengths, needs, voices, and stories are centered as they define
themselves, practice living unapologetically, and develop the skills needed to become change agents in their own lives and communities. They advocate on behalf of and alongside Black girls, centering their voices and their stories. Their professional and organizational growth programming creates space for open dialogue, analysis, and evaluation of the systems and programs that are supposed to support Black girls, but often harm them. To learn more about we.REIGN, visit them online at wereign.net or follow them on Instagram at @we.reign.
The Masculinity Action Project is a community education and violence prevention initiative that brings men and masculineidentifying individuals into movements for gender justice. They host workshops and trainings on topics such as: bystander intervention, masculinity and mental health, consent, cooking and other traditionally feminized labor, apologizing and accountability, and many more. They aim to address both the internal change men need and deserve, as well as working to prevent violence by engaging with and training men to call out and disrupt violence, toxic, and harmful behavior in their communities. To get involved, contact Zack Mackey at zmackey@lshphilly.org.
Policy is legislation (the preparation and enactment of laws) made in response to some sort of societal or community issue or problem that requires attention. It can be thought of a what the government chooses to do (actual) or not do (implied) about a particular issue or problem.
Here are some Important facts to know about how policy works in politics:
> It might be made on behalf of the public.
> It may be oriented toward a goal or desired state, such as the solution to a problem.
> Policy is ultimately made by governments, even if the ideas come from outside of the government or through the interaction of government and the public.
> It is part of an ongoing process that does not always
> Policy refers to legislation that (1) might take the form of law or regulation, or (2) the set of all the laws and regulations that govern a particular issue or problem.
have a clear beginning or end, since decisions about who will benefit from policies, and who will bear any burden resulting from the policies, are continually reassessed, revisited, and revised.
state are federal Senators and represent the United States Senate. The U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives make up Congress.
Pennsylvania has 203 State Representatives who serve two-year terms.
All 203 seats are up for election in 2024, as they are in every even-numbered year.
Pennsylvania has two houses in its legislature; an upper house called the Senate and a lower house called the House of Representatives. Two of those Senators from each
Each state has Senators that are voted in by districts of that state. Pennsylvania has 50 State Senators who serve four-year terms. In 2022, the 25 senatorial seats in even-numbered districts were up for election. Those elected have another 2 years in office. This year, the odd-numbered seats will be up for election which are 5 seats that represent Philadelphia County.
Way too often people of color, specifically Black folks deal with discrimination based on the style, type, or texture of our hair. Young people have been forced to cut their hair, take out protective styles, and have been restricted in participating in school activities. Adults with natural hair are also often passed over for higher level positions in the workforce. Culturally, we are bombarded with stares, questions, and touching our hair without consent.
The Pennsylvania CROWN Act, which stands for Creating a Respectful and Open World
for Natural hair, would prohibit discrimination based on a person’s hair type, hair texture or hairstyle. Twenty-two (22) states have passed the CROWN Act into law. Also, twenty-one (21) states have introduced or circulated this legislation and has passed on the local (city) level. The bill passed in the House of Representatives almost a year ago and is still stalled in the State Senate committee.
If you care about your CROWN, Join us in urging the PA State Senate to move this bill through! To learn more about how you can support the Crown Act, scan this QR or visit bit.ly/infocrownact .
Check out this YouTube video on Loving Your Crown. bit.ly/ howtoloveyourcrown
This Election season has been a confusing and emotional time for many of us. Making a decision to vote, creating a plan to vote, and deciding who and what to vote for can be exhaustive. This is just as good of a time as any to take special care of yourself. Here are some tips and herbal remedies to support you as you prepare for Election Day, and community advancement work beyond November.
1. Prioritize Rest
Intentional rest is vital for maintaining focus and emotional resilience, especially during busy times. Establish a soothing nighttime routine— limit screen time before bed, use calming scents, or read a book to help you unwind.
2. Stay Active with Exercise and Body Movement
Engaging in regular physical activity can significantly reduce stress and improve your mood. Exercise and body movement
releases endorphins, which can improve your overall sense of well-being and clarity.
3. Connect with Loved Ones for Fun
Spending time with friends and family can provide a welcome distraction and help alleviate stress. Be open to making new friends, organizing a game night, or being in spaces that affirm you, like an open mic or having explorative conversations. These moments of joy remind you of the support network surrounding you.
4. Share Warm Hugs (with consent!)
Hugs can help reduce
stress and boost your mood by releasing oxytocin, the “feelgood” hormone. Make it a point to hug loved ones regularly; it fosters connections and enhances feelings of safety and companionship.
5. Nurture Your Spiritual Health
Engaging in spiritual practices can greatly enhance your mental clarity and emotional well-being. Take a few moments each day to connect with your inner self, focus on your intentions, and foster a sense of peace.
6. Incorporate Calming Herbs
Incorporating herbs into your routine is a good way to provide your body with nourishment and relaxation. Consider these calming herbs:
> Chamomile can help reduce anxiety, promote relaxation, and improve sleep quality—ideal for winding down after a busy day of decision- making.
> Lavender can help alleviate stress, improve
relaxation, and even promote better sleep. Enjoy lavenderinfused tea or essential oils to enhance your calming routine.
> Peppermint can help invigorate the mind while alleviating stress. It’s also beneficial for digestion and can help relieve tension headaches, making it perfect for a quick mental boost.
> Sage is recognized for its ability to promote mental clarity and reduce anxiety. It can also help enhance mood.
> Taking a warm bath infused with these calming herbs can help relax your muscles and create space for your mind to unwind.
Although voting is an essential civic duty, taking care of yourself is the priority. By incorporating these selfcare practices into your routine, you can nurture your body and mind while making informed decisions. Embrace these tips, enjoy some herbal goodness, and approach the voting process with clarity and confidence. Your well-being matters!
Contributed by New Voices Community Organizer, Ayana Toukam
“The Black Power fist has always been a symbol of liberation, power, and the fight toward experiencing freedom in this lifetime. In this depiction of the Black power fist, adorned with jewelry and fancy nails, I wish to highlight the strength and visibility of women, Trans, and Queer people in this fight. This represents ‘The Personal is Political’ because as the state makes every attempt to strip us of our autonomy and freedoms, we will continue to stand, mobilize, organize, march, rally, dream and move toward a more liberated future.”
Art by Queen Phierce,
Follow her journey on Instagram at @queenphierce
