I still love trains. There is something magical about watching the world speed by from a train window, the rhythmic clatter of the tracks providing a soothing backdrop to the ever-changing landscape. My love for trains goes back to my childhood, when my grandfather worked for the railroads in Chicago.
Back then, I had the privilege of traveling for free between Chicago and Tulsa, Oklahoma, to visit my Aunt Faye and Uncle Burt. Those journeys weren’t just about the destination—they were about the pride I felt in knowing my grandfather’s job on the railroad was a good one, offering him stability and respect. Today, on Labor Day, I understand why his work—and the work of countless others like him—was so important.
Labor Day is more than just a day off; it’s a time to reflect on the contributions of workers across America, especially those in the Black community whose labor has often been undervalued and overlooked.
The significance of this day in our lives is deeply tied to the struggles and triumphs of Black labor activists who fought tirelessly to ensure that jobs like my grandfather’s were not just available, but that they were good jobs—jobs that provided fair wages, dignity, and the ability to support a family.
One of the most influential figures in this fight was Asa Philip Randolph, a towering figure in both the labor and civil rights movements. Randolph’s legacy is a testament to the power of collective action and the relentless pursuit of justice.
In 1925, he organized and led the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the first successful African-American-led labor union. This was no small feat.
The Pullman Company, a major employer of Black workers, was notorious for its poor working conditions and discriminatory practices. Under Randolph’s leadership, the Brotherhood fought for—and won—better wages, shorter work hours, and overtime pay, setting a precedent for labor rights that would resonate for generations.
Randolph’s influence extended far beyond the railroad industry. He was a prominent voice in the early Civil Rights Movement, using his platform to challenge the racist labor practices that kept Black workers in low-paying, exploitative jobs.
His efforts, along with those of other labor rights activists, pressured President Franklin D. Roosevelt to issue Executive Order 8802 in 1941, which banned discrimination in defense industries during World War II. This victory was a significant step toward dismantling institutional racism in the workplace, and it laid the groundwork for further advances in civil rights.
The importance of Randolph’s work cannot be overstated. His advocacy was instrumental in pushing President Harry S. Truman to propose a new Civil Rights Act and to issue Executive Orders 9980 and 9981 in 1948, promoting fair employment practices in federal government hiring and ending racial segregation in the armed services.
These were monumental achievements that began to break down the barriers that had long held Black workers back.
But Randolph’s impact wasn’t limited to labor rights alone. In 1963, he was one of the driving forces behind the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech.
This march was as much about economic justice as it was about civil rights, reflecting Randolph’s belief that the fight for social equality was inextricably linked to the struggle for economic justice.
Randolph’s vision extended into the future with his proposal of the “Freedom Budget,” a comprehensive plan to address the economic challenges facing the Black community.
This plan aimed to eradicate poverty, provide decent housing and education, and ensure full employment—goals that remain just as relevant today as they were in the 1960s.
As we celebrate Labor Day, it’s crucial to remember that the gains we enjoy today were hard-won by people like Randolph, who understood that the fight for labor rights was a fight for civil rights.
The jobs that provided for families, like my grandfather’s on the railroad, were made possible by the tireless efforts of those who came before us. Their legacy is a reminder that labor rights and civil rights are two sides of the same coin, and that the struggle for justice in the workplace is ongoing.
So, as I reminisce about those train rides from Chicago to Tulsa, I’m filled with gratitude for the work of my grandfather and others like him. They laid the tracks not just for the trains, but for the progress that has allowed so many of us to live better lives.
This Labor Day, let’s honor their legacy by continuing to fight for fair wages, decent working conditions, and true equality for all workers. Because the journey toward justice, much like a train ride, is one that requires us to keep moving forward, no matter how long it takes.