The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters: Vanguard of the Civil Rights Movement Exhibit

On Friday, February 1, The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters: Vanguard of the Civil Rights Movement Exhibit, a collection of Pullman Porter artifacts went on display at the Thurgood Marshall Center in Washington, DC. Curated by Jamaal Craig, this unique exhibit will be on display free of charge to the public from February 1 – 28.

The exhibit was created to help raise awareness about the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (BSCP) - the nation’s first black labor union formed in 1925 and their contributions to the American Civil Rights Movement. With the help of Ms. Thelma Jones, curator of the Thurgood Marshall Exhibit housed in the Thurgood Marshall Center, The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters: Vanguard of the Civil Rights Movement exhibit has expanded in scope and was most recently on display in the world renowned Arena Stage Theater in conjunction with the Pullman Porter Blues, an award winning play depicting the life of three generations of Pullman Porters.

The (BSCP) was founded under the guidance of civil rights and labor leader A. Philip Randolph. Considered by many to be the Father of the Civil Rights Movement, Randolph led the (BSCP) in a long fierce 12 year battle to organize for union recognition and collective bargaining rights against the powerful Pullman Company. Prior to forming their union and winning their first contract, the Porters were viewed as servants. Their resilient fight for recognition brought about sweeping changes in Workers' Rights, as well as Civil Rights for Blacks and is credited with creating the basis for a Black Middle Class in America.

For more information on the exhibit please contact Washington DC Exhibit Coordinator Thelma Jones at 202-251-1639 or info@jamaalcraig.com



(L-R) Ms. Thelma Jones and Jamaal Craig at Arena Stage Theater



Why is the United States Senate Elusive to African-Americans?

With the swearing in of Senator John Kerry as the new Secretary of State, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick is slated to appoint his former chief of staff William “Mo” Cowan to serve as the place holder until voters can choose a permanent replacement to complete the remainder of Senator Kerry’s term during a special election scheduled for June 25.

As an African-American who has worked in electoral politics for over a decade and also as a historian that has examined the plight of blacks in politics who has mixed feelings about the appointment process in government, I am pleased and excited about the Governor’s choice for a number of reasons. 

First and foremost “Mo” Cowan has an impeccable resume. He is a graduate of Duke University and the Northeastern University Law School. He has served as the Governor’s chief legal counsel and finally chief of staff, which are two key positions in any Governor’s administration that are not to be taken lightly. “Mo’s” hard work earned him the reputation of being “one of Boston’s leading attorneys” according to Frank Phillips of the Boston Globe. Second, his appointment while temporary will make him only the eighth African-American to serve in the United States Senate. This is where the historical significance comes into play.

The Senate is one of the most powerful political body's in the nation; the chamber is second only to the office of the Presidency. Who would have ever imagined that Massachusetts, a state where African-Americans comprise a mere 8% of the entire population, will soon become the state to be remembered in the history books as the first to have had two African-American Senators as well as the first to have an African-American sitting Governor and US Senator! Milestones that we can all build on….

African-Americans in the US Senate  

·        Hiram Rhodes Revels (Mississippi in 1870 – 1871) was the first African-American to serve in the Senate.

·        Blanche Kelso Bruce (Mississippi 1875 – 1881) was the first African-American to serve a full six-year term as senator and the only senator to be a former slave.

·        Edward William Brooke (Massachusetts 1967 – 1979) was the first African-American to be popularly elected, the first to be re-elected, and the first to be elected outside of the southern states.

·        Carol Moseley Braun (Illinois 1993 – 1999) was the first female African-American to serve in the Senate.

·        Barack Obama (Illinois 2005 - 2008) was the fifth African-American to serve as a senator. He resigned from his office to become the first African-American President of the United States.

·        Roland Burris (Illinois 2009 – 2010) was the first African-American to be appointed and the first to succeed another African American. He was appointed by Governor Rod Blagojevich to fill the seat vacted by Barack Obama after he was elected president.

·        Tim Scott (South Carolina 2013 - ) was both the first African-American and the first to be affiliated with the Republican Party to represent a southern state since the end of reconstruction. He was appointed by Governor Nikki Haley to succeed Jim DeMint.

William “Mo” Cowan

http://www.boston.com/metrodesk/2013/01/30/patrick-picks-cowan-interim-senator/0dFtO6tg5pnvg6WiLgw7dL/story.html?p1=Well_MostPop_Emailed6

15th Annual Pittsburgh Summit Against Racism

On Saturday, January 26, I was fortunate to participate in the 15^th Annual Pittsburgh Summit Against Racism at the East Liberty Presbyterian Church.  In spite of the progress that has been made via the Civil Rights Movement, racism and discrimination is still evident in our society. Therefore, I was more than happy to have battled the cold, snowy Pittsburgh weather to attend and participate in such an event.

The summit was first organized in 1996 in response to the horrendous murder of Jonny Gammage, a black motorist that fell victim to DWB-Driving While Black. Gammage was choked to death after a traffic stop involving 5 white police officers while on driving in a suburban area of Pittsburgh.  According to a coroner’s report, “Gammage died from asphyxiation due to pressure applied to the chest and neck.”

This year’s summit was an astounding success, designed to raise awareness on the lingering problems and effects of racism in Southwestern Pennsylvania. The goals are for participants to work on creating constructive solutions to eliminate racism and bigotry from our communities. There were some very thought provoking and powerful workshops: Voter Empowerment (of which I was a co-facilitator), Challenging White Supremacy in the Workplace (my personal favorite), Gentrification and Displacement, along with several others. The organizers of this event are to be commended for their commitmet and dedication to the cause of ending racism.

For more information about the Summit Against Racism please visit: http://summitagainstracism.blogspot.com/p/live-stream-of-conference.html