“font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt;”>Every year during Black History Month, our nation honors African Americans who have made a profound impact on American society, especially those who participated in the Civil Rights Movement. These heroes suffered unfathomable atrocities on their road to equality, such as inaccessibility to employment, business establishments, private organizations and clubs, and even the American dream.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Currently, there is an effort by Republican State Senators to undo the progress we as a country have made, and allow this type of inaccessibility to exist again. Senate Bill 592 (SB 592) will take us a step back towards those times, and make it easier for bigotry to be practiced throughout the City of St. Louis and the entire State of Missouri.Â
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>SB 592 modifies the law relating to employment discrimination and the Missouri Human Rights Act. It removes certain measures from this historic law, degrading the law’s effectiveness at protecting the rights of individuals. Although this bill is supported by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, it is denounced by nearly every human rights organization in the state of Missouri.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>SB 592 attempts to make the following law:
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Elimination of individual responsibility for discrimination in employment cases
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Exemption of private clubs from the Missouri Human Rights Act
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Exemption of employers with seasonal employees from the Missouri Human Rights Act
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Limits on the monetary amount a citizen can receive in punitive damages from private companies
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Prohibition of any monetary amount a citizen can receive in punitive damages from state government.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>In 2011, the Missouri Commission on Human Rights (MCHR) received 1,443 complaints of employment discrimination. This commission investigates complaints of discrimination in housing; places of public accommodations; and employment based on race, color, religion, nationality, ancestry, sex, disability, and age.
“font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Last year, the Missouri Commission on Human Rights helped hundreds of Missourians receive damages from entities that acted in a discriminatory manner. SB 592 will drastically hinder the work the MCHR can do for you and your fellow Missourians when facing discrimination.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Fortunately, we have members of our Missouri House and Senate who are working tirelessly to halt the progress of this biased and unethical bill. The entire Missouri Legislative Black Caucus has either spoken out against or filibustered SB 592. They have bonded together as African Americans to fight for the rights of all races, as the historic American figure Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. did years ago.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>These legislative leaders are proof that our rich Black History motivates the leaders of today, and that our human rights struggle as a nation is not yet complete.Â
