My name is not important. What is important is the predicament I find myself in, related to the countless others who share my experience. We have criminal backgrounds, but we are no less human, and we struggle relentlessly to secure employment. We are constantly discounted, disregarded, not for our abilities, skills, or potential, but for past mistakes that we are trying to move on from.

This is not just about my own struggle. It's about the estimated 70 million U.S residents with arrest or conviction records who are potentially stigmatized in the job market (Source: National Employment Law Project). Unfortunately, this systemic bias has been extremely detrimental, adversely impacting our ability to reintegrate into society, sustain ourselves economically, and contribute positively to our communities.

What we seek is the reform of criminal background checks by employers. All we ask is a fair chance, the opportunity to prove that we are more than our pasts. The "ban-the-box" movement which limits employers from conducting background checks until a conditional job offer has been made, is a step in the right direction. However, it is only present in 35 states and not federally mandated (Source: National Employment Law Project). We need this fairness to be nationwide.

It's high time these unjust practices were addressed. Help us make a difference today. Sign this petition and let's push for the reform and fair implementation of criminal background checks by employers.