As Some Black Staff Members Leave Congress, Those Who Remain Call for Change
The New York Times
Low pay, a high cost of living and an insulated culture make it hard for Black aides to build a career in Congress.
When Chanda Jefferson, a science teacher from Columbia, S.C., got the opportunity to work on Capitol Hill, she was thrilled to use her classroom experience to help shape education policy. She also hoped that when her fellowship was over, she could expose her students at home to a different, exciting career path.
It wasn’t until she arrived that she realized how impervious the halls of Congress were to change. In her office of more than a dozen people, there are no permanent Black staff members.
“It was shocking to see so few individuals that look like me,” Ms. Jefferson said. “In order for us to have legislation to represent everyone in the United States of America, we need to hear from diverse voices.”
