OneAmerica worked over the course of a decade to bring the

"OneAmerica worked over the course of a decade to bring the movement of immigrants and communities of color together with the movement for marriage equality in Washington." These words, spoken by Pramila Jayapal, echo the timeless truth that the fight for justice and equality is never a singular pursuit, but a collective journey. The movement she speaks of is one where disparate struggles are woven together by the common thread of human dignity, uniting those fighting for the rights of immigrants and communities of color with the fight for marriage equality. In this, she reveals a deeper wisdom—that true justice is not achieved by isolating struggles, but by recognizing that every human being, regardless of their background, deserves equal rights, respect, and opportunity.

For millennia, the great sages and leaders of the world have taught us that the pursuit of justice is a shared responsibility. Plato, in his exploration of the ideal state, argued that a just society must be one where all individuals, regardless of their station in life, are afforded the opportunity to live with dignity. Aristotle spoke of the importance of equality in his concept of ethics, emphasizing that true virtue comes from recognizing and upholding the rights of others. These ancient teachings remind us that justice is not confined to any one group or cause, but is a universal principle that applies to all people, regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation.

Pramila Jayapal's words reflect this timeless truth—that the struggle for equality is not a matter of isolated battles, but a unified movement. When OneAmerica brought together the struggles of immigrants and communities of color with the fight for marriage equality, they understood that the same systems of oppression that sought to deny rights to one group also sought to deny them to others. Whether it is the fight for immigrant rights or the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, both are grounded in the fundamental belief that every human being deserves equal rights under the law.

Consider the historic civil rights movement in the United States, led by figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., who understood that the fight for the rights of African Americans was inextricably linked to the fight for justice for all marginalized peoples. King’s message was clear: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” His words serve as a reminder that no struggle for equality exists in a vacuum; all battles for freedom are connected, and the fight for one form of justice is a fight for all. Whether in the fight for racial equality, women’s rights, or the LGBTQ+ community, the struggle for dignity is united by a common purpose—to create a society where everyone can live freely and without fear.

Jayapal’s long-term commitment to bringing these movements together speaks to the power of coalition-building and solidarity. OneAmerica’s work over the course of a decade highlights the importance of patience, strategy, and determination in achieving lasting change. The journey to marriage equality and the rights of immigrants was not a quick victory, but a hard-won one, achieved through years of advocacy, dialogue, and shared struggle. As with all movements for justice, progress came not through the efforts of a single individual, but through the collective strength of many people working together for the common good. Jayapal’s leadership in uniting these movements reminds us that solidarity is the foundation of any successful fight for justice.

The example of OneAmerica shows that social change is not only about fighting against oppressive systems but about building connections between seemingly different causes. By uniting the fight for immigrant rights with the fight for marriage equality, OneAmerica demonstrated that the work for justice is a deeply interconnected task. The struggle for equality is not about achieving one victory in isolation, but about creating a society where everyone—regardless of their background, identity, or status—can live in peace and freedom. To truly achieve equality, we must recognize that each person’s fight is part of a larger movement, and when we stand together, we strengthen the cause of justice for all.

The lesson we must take from this is both inspirational and practical. The fight for justice—whether for immigrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, or any marginalized group—requires patience, unity, and unwavering commitment. We must work to build bridges between struggles, recognizing that the liberation of one group is inherently tied to the liberation of all. In our own lives, we must stand in solidarity with those who are marginalized, working not only for our own freedom but for the freedom of others. Only by uniting in the fight for equality can we create a world where all people are free to live their lives with dignity and without fear of oppression.

Let us remember Pramila Jayapal’s vision and the tireless work of OneAmerica—that the road to justice is long, but it is not one we walk alone. Every effort, every voice raised for equality, contributes to the greater movement. Let us commit ourselves to the cause of justice, recognizing that in helping others find freedom, we too find it. Together, we can create a world where all people are truly free, and where the rights of immigrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, and all those who are oppressed are upheld by the strength of our collective will.