ASHES TO ASHES; Article by KWAME SALTER
I would rather men should ask why no statue was erected in my honor, than why one was.
Marcus Porcius Cato
According to historical references, "Cato the Elder, born Marcus Porcius Cato and known as Cato the Censor, Cato the Wise, and Cato the Ancient, was a Roman senator and historian known for his conservatism and opposition to Hellenization." Regarding the erection of statues, at least, he got it right.
In the spirit of full disclosure, I am not a big fan of erecting stone or bronze monuments to sports stars, entertainers or treasonous insurrectionists. I am particularly opposed to using these larger-than-life sculptures to memorialize individuals who consciously decided to wage war to keep other human beings in a state of animal-like bondage.
Currently, our nation appears to be in a passionate debate as to the propriety of having Confederate heroes line the streets, parks, and grounds of public buildings. Some in the South who support keeping these monuments in place claim that these icons represent "their heritage." This argument assumes that the millions of African Americans who toiled, were brutalized, and slaughtered in the pre-Civil War concentration camps, known as plantations, have no claim to a Southern heritage.
This so-called "whites only" Southern heritage argument is specious at best and delusional at its core.
Others supporters and apologists for keeping these monuments in place pose an equally outrageous argument. They postulate that if the statues of their so-called heroes of the Confederacy are to be done away with, why not George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and any other of our slave-owning Founding Fathers? In response to this argument, Prof. Gregory Downs, of the University of California and a Civil War researcher, says it best: "It is obvious that traitors in arms to the nation are not equivalent to those who created it."
Claiming ownership of another human being cannot and should not be justified. Still, it was the Founding Fathers who, under the divine spell of God Almighty, wrote a prescient document that contradicted their despicable reality. In fact, it has been the Constitution that has served as both sword and shield for the sons, daughters, and grandchildren of former slaves to demand both their civil and human rights.
It is still perplexing that anyone could argue with a straight face that it is "foolish" to discuss removing these vile reminders of a shameful past. Even in the bowels of foundries, factories, and other workplaces, it is conventional wisdom that degrading images and totems of women and ethnic minorities constitute a hostile work environment — and must be ripped out of lockers and off the walls.
How about as an African American (emphasis on American) walking down a boulevard full of statues glorifying the men who deliberately chose insurrection to keep your people in bondage? Talk about a hostile work environment! Try every day, functioning in a hostile living environment.
My fellow Americans, think about the fact that there are no statutes of Saddam Hussein in Iraq; no statues of Gaddafi in Libya; no statues of Mussolini in Italy; and no monument to Adolf Hitler in Germany. They ruled, they lost and consequently they have been, with great fanfare, consigned to the scrap heap of history.
In closing, it is not the brick and bronze images that concern us; rather it is the mentality, mindset and invidious message being sent by their ardent supporters.
To many of us, these statues are gargoyles set about to keep evil in the spotlight.
Published Aug. 22, 2017 in OakPark.com
Marcus Porcius Cato
According to historical references, "Cato the Elder, born Marcus Porcius Cato and known as Cato the Censor, Cato the Wise, and Cato the Ancient, was a Roman senator and historian known for his conservatism and opposition to Hellenization." Regarding the erection of statues, at least, he got it right.
In the spirit of full disclosure, I am not a big fan of erecting stone or bronze monuments to sports stars, entertainers or treasonous insurrectionists. I am particularly opposed to using these larger-than-life sculptures to memorialize individuals who consciously decided to wage war to keep other human beings in a state of animal-like bondage.
Currently, our nation appears to be in a passionate debate as to the propriety of having Confederate heroes line the streets, parks, and grounds of public buildings. Some in the South who support keeping these monuments in place claim that these icons represent "their heritage." This argument assumes that the millions of African Americans who toiled, were brutalized, and slaughtered in the pre-Civil War concentration camps, known as plantations, have no claim to a Southern heritage.
This so-called "whites only" Southern heritage argument is specious at best and delusional at its core.
Others supporters and apologists for keeping these monuments in place pose an equally outrageous argument. They postulate that if the statues of their so-called heroes of the Confederacy are to be done away with, why not George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and any other of our slave-owning Founding Fathers? In response to this argument, Prof. Gregory Downs, of the University of California and a Civil War researcher, says it best: "It is obvious that traitors in arms to the nation are not equivalent to those who created it."
Claiming ownership of another human being cannot and should not be justified. Still, it was the Founding Fathers who, under the divine spell of God Almighty, wrote a prescient document that contradicted their despicable reality. In fact, it has been the Constitution that has served as both sword and shield for the sons, daughters, and grandchildren of former slaves to demand both their civil and human rights.
It is still perplexing that anyone could argue with a straight face that it is "foolish" to discuss removing these vile reminders of a shameful past. Even in the bowels of foundries, factories, and other workplaces, it is conventional wisdom that degrading images and totems of women and ethnic minorities constitute a hostile work environment — and must be ripped out of lockers and off the walls.
How about as an African American (emphasis on American) walking down a boulevard full of statues glorifying the men who deliberately chose insurrection to keep your people in bondage? Talk about a hostile work environment! Try every day, functioning in a hostile living environment.
My fellow Americans, think about the fact that there are no statutes of Saddam Hussein in Iraq; no statues of Gaddafi in Libya; no statues of Mussolini in Italy; and no monument to Adolf Hitler in Germany. They ruled, they lost and consequently they have been, with great fanfare, consigned to the scrap heap of history.
In closing, it is not the brick and bronze images that concern us; rather it is the mentality, mindset and invidious message being sent by their ardent supporters.
To many of us, these statues are gargoyles set about to keep evil in the spotlight.
Published Aug. 22, 2017 in OakPark.com
42nd annual tnbc educational conference & banquet
The 42nd Annual TNBC Educational Conference and Banquet was held Aug. 16 - 19 in Vancouver, Canada. Members of the TNBC Chicago Chapter met other TNBC members from across the USA and Canada. Teamsters Local 700 President Becky Strzechowski was an honored guest and speaker at the conference.
TNBC CHIcago CHapter VOLUNTEERS AT BUD BILLIKEN PARADE
The TNBC Chicago Chapter and the Teamsters Joint Council 25 Women's Committee joined forces at the Aug. 12 Bud Billiken Parade in Chicago to hand out 100 book bags filled with school supplies. Special Thanks to Teamsters Local 700, Local 705, Local 458m, and Teamsters Joint Council 25 for your generous donations.
Day of Service at the Chicago Food Depository
On Saturday, June 3, TNBC Chicago brothers and sisters joined together for a day of service at the Chicago Food Depository.
9th Annual Family Day outing
Teamsters Black History: Traditions To Build On
The Teamsters Union has traditionally been ahead of other unions in terms of the treatment of minority members, calling for ”no color line” in the union as early as 1906. The union and began actively seeking to organize black men and women at the same time. Black members made up half of the executive board at the first New Orleans local in 1903 and black women helped establish one of the first “color free” contracts in the country in 1917 as Teamsters negotiated equal pay for black and white laundry women. That foundation of equality led black members to become strong advocates for civil rights and other social justice causes through the years.
General President James R. Hoffa was strongly opposed to segregation of any kind and chose to forfeit prospective members rather than abandon the principles of the union. At one point in the 1950s, he and Vice President Harold Gibbons traveled to New Orleans to lead an organizing campaign at a chemical plant but were stonewalled by white workers demanding a separate local for black workers. Hoffa refused, knowing they would lose the election because of the decision. Hoffa was angry about the loss but felt the union was better off without such racist members. “We don’t need ‘em,” he said. “Their way is not the Teamster way.”
Joe Nero, who became a member of Local 272 in New York City in 1941, remained a proud Teamster until his death in 2004 at the age of 104. He always maintained that unions were the best thing to happen to black workers.
“The Teamsters did me right and gave me a good life. They didn’t care if I was black or white,” he said. “Being in the union was the difference between a good life and a tough one. Always was, always will be.”
This does not mean it has been an easy road for minorities in the union. Black members made up a smaller segment of the union and often faced many of the same prejudices from individual fellow members on the job as they did in society at large. But they had the courage to stand fast and demand respect and dignity for themselves and their families. We are all richer for it.
The Teamsters Union salutes all those who have played a role, large or small in creating the unique and powerful history of Black Americans. As part of Black History Month we also celebrate our own members and the great contributions they have made to the Teamsters. Black members are an integral part of the legacy we have created for working families over the last century. Whether serving as the first black milkman, a soldier defending freedom, a Rosie the Riveter on the home front in World War II, or traveling to Washington D.C to march with Dr. King or serve in a political action delegation, the experiences and achievements of our black members have made a difference and deserve to be recognized.
TNBC CHICAGO MEETS SENATOR DICK DURBIN
During the Teamsters Joint Council 25 Christmas Luncheon, Illinois Senator Dick Durbin took a moment to meet TNBC Chicago President Ramon Williams, TNBC Chicago Chapter Treasurer Diahann Goode and TNBC Chicago Chapter Trustee Chris Trailor.
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TNBC CHICAGO COMMUNITY JOB FAIR
The TNBC Chicago Chapter community job fair was held on Monday, Dec. 12 at The Rink in Chicago. More than 100 job seekers came through the fair and nearly 30 people were hired on the spot for good union jobs. Among the companies that were represented at the fair were UPS and YRC Freight. The Chicago Chapter hopes to host a job fair every year and increase the number of participating employers.
TNBC CHICAGO CHAPTER BRINGS DISASTER RELIEF TO BATON ROUGE
The flooding that ravaged southern Louisiana last month has been described as the worst natural disaster to strike the United States since Superstorm Sandy.
After learning of the flooding devastation in Louisiana last month, the TNBC Chicago Chapter felt they had to do something to help.
TNBC Chicago Chapter President Ramon Williams traveled to Baton Rouge, La. last week to deliver Teamster Disaster Relief donations to the victims of the terrible flooding that left some people with nothing.
TNBC Chicago Chapter offers disaster relief to Baton Rouge, La. resident James Anderson.
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TNBC Chicago Chapter assists flooding victim Carver Henley and his family. The contents of their entire home were lost during the recent flooding in Baton Rouge, La.
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Teamsters Local 720 member Vernon Jordan and his family expressed appreciation for the disaster relief offered by the TNBC Chicago Chapter. Vernon works for UPS.
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Donald Boyd, a Chicago native who recently relocated to Baton Rouge, La. was elated to receive disaster relief assistance from Teamsters of his hometown nearly 1,000 miles away.
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VETERANS URGED TO APPLY FOR TEAMSTERS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TMAP)
Are you a military veteran? As part of your Teamster membership, you could be entitled to additional benefits.
The Teamsters Military Assistance Program (TMAP) helps veterans locate outstanding service-related disability benefits. The program can help Teamsters track down services, benefits and funds owed to them as veterans — in some cases, for as much as tens of thousands of dollars in back benefits.
DOWNLOAD A TMAP REGISTRATION FORM
After submitting your form, a representative will contact you to answer some additional questions. TMAP personnel will then work to identify outstanding benefits owed to you and your family.
Visit TMAP online or DOWNLOAD A FORM
The Teamsters Military Assistance Program (TMAP) helps veterans locate outstanding service-related disability benefits. The program can help Teamsters track down services, benefits and funds owed to them as veterans — in some cases, for as much as tens of thousands of dollars in back benefits.
DOWNLOAD A TMAP REGISTRATION FORM
After submitting your form, a representative will contact you to answer some additional questions. TMAP personnel will then work to identify outstanding benefits owed to you and your family.
Visit TMAP online or DOWNLOAD A FORM
Join the chicago chapter of the teamsters national black caucus!New members of the Chicago Chapter of the Teamsters National Black Caucus are encouraged to join now and receive a discounted membership rate of $75 for their first year.
Click the link below to sign up today. |
The Teamsters National Black Caucus is a vital arm of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Join the Chicago Chapter of TNBC and help us improve the lives of working men and women.
“The members of the TNBC know what it means to move in the right direction. The Teamsters Union is the most diverse labor union in the country, always ready to do the right thing for our membership. I encourage you to seek out the TNBC and commit to making a difference in the lives of working families in Chicago and beyond.” -Ramon Williams, President Teamsters National Black Caucus Chicago Chapter |
2017 executive board of the chicago chapter of the tnbc
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Ramon D. Williams
President Patricia Gillette Thomas Vice President & Political Coordinator Diahann Goode Treasurer Larry Mullins Recording Secretary |
Zeberdee Barnes
Trustee Floyd Hughes Trustee & Sergeant at Arms Chris (Tracta) Trailor Trustee & Political Coordinator Tres G. Peel Director of Communications |
Tally Collier
Director of Visual Media Jessie W. Lee Executive Director Ted Mullins Honorary Executive Director Norman H. Wallace Parliamentarian |
