[Note: I wrote up my notes from this meeting, pasted them into WordPress, then forgot to hit “Publish.” Sigh. So this post is dated September 5th, even though it actually went live a couple of weeks later.]
While watching the NAACP webinar on “Labor action Week”, I transcribed a few of the speakers’ comments that especially caught my attention. Here are my rough notes, lightly edited:
“It is by design to make us feel powerless,” said Julie Collier of the AFL-CIO. “They are trying to make us feel powerless, so that we act powerless…. That is not where we are, we are going to be fighting back.” “We’re going to organize, because that is what we do best.”
Donna Mitchell, who is with Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA, a building trades union), said that their union is asking each local to build alliances in their communities, including of course alliances with local NAACP chapters. LiUNA leadership knows that many of their members voted for Trump, so they are now reaching out to their membership to become “reacquainted.” They are also asking their members to “vote with their paychecks.” As an example of what she means by that, Mitchell pointed out that the Trump administration shut down the Revolution Wind project off Rhode Island, which has thrown hundreds of LiUNA workers out of work. “Overnight, those jobs are gone,” Mitchell said. She added that the demise of Revolution Wind will “drive up energy prices,” thus hitting LiUNA members once again in the pocketbook.
While Mitchell was speaking, I noticed this comment in the chat:
“Have we ever had another president in the White House that raised unemployment and inflation at the same time?”
Rev. Dr. Regena Thomas, who is a ministerial associate at Grant Chapel AME church and also Co-Director of Human, Civil, and Women’s Rights for the American Federation of Teachers, said, “If I’m completely honest, I’m mad as hell. But I’m also fearful.” She is especially fearful because of the attacks on Black women by the Trump administration. She sees the labor movement as taking the lead right now, adding:
“I’m mad, and scared, but also energized and fired up.”
“If it’s good enough for them to want to take it, it’s good enough for us to fight to keep it,” Thomas went on. “Everyone has a lane [i.e., everyone has a role to play] … and we need boots on the ground [i.e., each of us has to get to work].”
In response to Thomas, this comment appeared in chat:
“No silos! We can do this together!!”
Actually, some of the most inspiring material came from the chat. Here is a small sampling of comments from NAACP members from across the U.S.:
“We must remember Galatians 6:9, ‘And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.’ Keep standing in solidarity.”
“The working class needs to fight back, we outnumber the oppressors.”
“[Work] collectively. Stop the divide and conquer. What they do to one, they will do to another.”
“Partnerships and collaborations are necessary.”
“Racism and bigotry are integral to capitalist exploitation.” [Mostly I forgot to note who made the comments, but this last one came from Rev. Chester Banks, president of the Bayonne Branch of the NAACP.]
You can watch the recording of this webinar on Youtube.
And you can take action by signing the petition to protect Black workers.
And you’ll find more opportunities for action here.
A final note of apology: I was typing as fast as I could, and my transcriptions are probably not entirely accurate; if you spot errors, please leave a comment with a corrected version.