The Civil Rights Committee at AFSCME Council 4 would like to commemorate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We cannot look to the promise of a better future without remembering the sacrifice of MLK. He demonstrated astounding courage and resolve in the fight for civil, human, and worker’s rights. As a matter of fact, as a true friend of laborers, he was assassinated while helping striking Memphis sanitation workers represented by AFSCME.
It has been almost 53 years since the assassination of MLK and the struggle continues. He taught us the most valuable of lessons and that is to keep fighting no matter what happens.
In a speech titled America’s Chief Moral Dilemma, Dr King said, “But there is another side of our national life which is not so bright. In the midst of all of our scientific and technological advances, we still suffer the plague of racial conflict. We have not learned the simple art of loving our neighbors and respecting the dignity and worth of all human personality. Through our scientific genius, we have made of the world, a neighborhood, but through our moral and spiritual geniuses, we have failed to make of our own Nation a brotherhood. This is the chief moral dilemma of our Nation. This tragic dilemma which we now confront leaves the nation and the Church with a tremendous challenge.”
The bleakness of current events magnifies the significance of Dr King’s words and the call for brotherhood. In the past year we’ve seen numerous protests and rallies held by BLM specifically protesting systemic racism and the use of excessive force by police. Many who were hurt and outraged by the frequency of these murders, did as MLK did: they protested. Their protests were sparked by the deaths of innocent people in the BIPOC (Black Indigenous and People of Color) community like George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.
Dr King so poignantly stated that “we still suffer the plague of racial conflict.” This failure “to make our own nation a brotherhood” was truly demonstrated when terrorists stormed the Capitol in D. C., killing a police officer and wounding many more. They wore T-shirts calling for the murder of Jews and waving the confederate flag. This tragic moment in our nation’s history revealed how deep the disparities are in our criminal justice system and demonstrated the fragility of our democracy. It was the very definition of white privilege.
Unions are explicitly tasked with the goal of making a sisterhood and brotherhood from the neighborhoods of the working class. The union’s primary goal is to fight for workers and civil rights which are founded on human rights. Dr. King stated, “As I have said many times, and believe with all my heart, the coalition that can have the greatest impact in the struggle for human dignity here in America is that of the Negro and the forces of labor, because their fortunes are so closely intertwined,”(“Martin Luther King Jr. Championed Civil Rights and Unions | AFL-CIO”).
Dr. King also warned that enemies of racial justice were also enemies of unions: “The labor-hater and labor-baiter is virtually always a twin-headed creature spewing anti-Negro epithets from one mouth and anti-labor propaganda from the other mouth.” (“Martin Luther King Jr. Championed Civil Rights and Unions | AFL-CIO”).
Dr. King led by example, by engaging in political activism and speaking out every time he saw injustice. We must remember that we can “impact the struggle” through civic engagement. AFSCME Council 4 offers numerous ways to get involved. There are a number of committees you can join.
For example, you can canvass or phone bank for pro-labor candidates running for office. You Join the Council 4 PEOPLE Committee, donate to our PEOPLE political action fund that supports pro-union candidates, and get to know your legislators and express your concerns. You can also write a letter to the editor, testify at the State Capitol, and most importantly speak truth to power whenever necessary.
We can honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by working to change the laws and ensure they are enforced. The racial conflict MLK spoke of continues to deeply divide our country; however, if we endeavor to make that sisterhood and brotherhood out of our nation’s neighborhoods, we will not only survive but thrive, standing together as one nation and one people.
Council 4 Civil Rights Committee
Harold Brooks, Local 3144, Co-Chair
Marsha Tulloch, Local 269, Co-Chair
Marie Bartell, Local 2663
Dana Beecham-Brown, Local 749
Ruby Blackmon, Local 196
Claudine Chambers, Local 3429
Sheryl Chin, Local 478
Patricia Davis, Local 318
Rose Duncan, Local 318
Linette Gaunichaux, Local 2663
Alexander Guzman, Council 4
Stacie Harris-Byrdsong, Local 3194
Valencia Johnson, Local 318
Sotonye Otunba-Payne, Local 749
Kim Rice, Local 714
Lorine Roberts, Local 714
Patrick Sampson, Council 4