With the election just months away (and prominent in the news cycle), we must remember that communities of color are most likely to be directly impacted by racist policies, laws, and systems. We’re already seeing blatant voter suppression and gerrymandering, evident in primaries earlier this year. And with some states holding “all-mail” elections and many others urging voters to vote-by-mail in light of the pandemic, the Trump administration’s false narrative of voter fraud and cuts to the United States Postal Service (USPS) have become contentious and urgent issues. As white folks fighting for racial justice, part of our work is seeing how racism shows up everywhere - including in cuts to the USPS.
Reporting an operating revenue of $71.1B and a debt of $11B at the end of 2019, the USPS has faced financial challenges since the passing of the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act (PAEA) in 2006, which forced the agency to pay 70 years worth of pensions and retirement funds in advance. With additional pressure from the pandemic and no stimulus funding, the USPS is now on the brink of collapse. Current estimates say it may run out of money by the end of the summer.
Post office closures would disproportionately affect rural and unbanked communities, who rely on the USPS for shipping and other key services. Those who lack access to bank accounts utilize post offices for money orders to pay bills. Low-income rural populations, 22% of whom are people of color, depend on them for community connection and delivery of crucial items such as masks. People with disabilities, 55% of whom are Black or Latinx, rely on the USPS for life-sustaining medications and supplies.
Closures would also impact USPS workers, 40% of whom are people of color, 20% of whom are Black, and 40% of whom are women. During the pandemic, these workers have risked their lives in an environment lacking PPE and adequate sanitation to provide services to communities that may not otherwise have them. Thousands of workers have tested positive for COVID, and with Trump’s newly appointed Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, the solution has been to cut costs by reducing retail and work hours, resulting in significant delays to mail delivery.
While investment in the USPS would mean expanded banking, passport, and even tax services for the country, the Trump administration and its billionaire cronies have continued to undercut, underfund, and undervalue the Postal Service. If the USPS were to fail, we risk dire consequences for both workers and consumers, especially the disabled and people of color in poor, rural communities.
At a time when we need radical transformation to uplift Black and Brown communities, cuts to the USPS’ essential services are a direct threat to democracy. With the current hazards of live voting, we need a functioning Postal Service for voters, especially those from marginalized communities, to cast their ballots. Limiting voters’ ability to participate in the election via mail-in-voting will inflict damage on the entire US population.
Support the USPS by contacting your officials (text USPS to 50409) or buying some stamps. If you’re eligible to vote in NY, you can also request your ballot by mail here by October 27. And talk about this with your families and friends.
As the election looms, we look forward to learning and unlearning with you, and fighting for liberation on all fronts.
In solidarity,
SURJ NYC