The Black Congressional Caucus (CBC) plans to invite victims of sexual assault and honor Recy Taylor at Donald Trump's first State of the Union address later this month.
Taylor passed last month at the age of 97 but she lived her life fighting for justice for herself and other sexual assault victims. Thanks to Oprah's speech at the Golden Globes, Taylor's story is getting the global recognition that it always should have when it happened back in 1944. Her legacy serves as a reminder of the plight of sexual abuse survivors.
According to NY Daily News, New Jersey congresswoman and CBC member Bonnie Coleman expressed to fellow members the importance of Taylor's legacy via email.
"As we raise awareness to this important cause, we cannot forget the many marginalized women who have spoken up, spoken out and have long been ignored," Coleman wrote in the email. "Ms. Taylor's quest for justice was a seminal moment in the civil rights movement."
She then encouraged the caucus members to wear all black for Trump's State of the Union address on Jan. 30 in a display of solidarity with victims of sexual harassment. Powerful, and sadly, ironic as Trump has been accused of sexual assault on multiple occasions.
Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wisc.) is a survivor of sexual assault herself, plans to don all black and put a "Recy" pin on her jacket. She believes "it will serve as a strong message of defiance to those who have and continue to subject women to a toxic masculinity that has plagued our society for far too long." Like Moore, members of the CBC will wear red pins honoring Taylor that day.
The State of the Union address will be historic, and not because it's the 45's first one.