In a nod to Black History Month, the University of Texas at Arlington is turning the page back to a crucial chapter in African American labor history with a mini-exhibit dedicated to the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (BSCP). Founded in 1925, this landmark union etched its name in the annals of civil rights by becoming the very first labor organization led by African Americans, according to the City of Arlington, Texas.
UTA's Special Collections has dug up artifacts and historical items to showcase the storied legacy of the porters union, which was pivotal in not only advancing the labor rights for black workers but also in eventually leading to significant civil rights movements. Representatives invite the Arlington community to come to check out the exhibit, which is set squarely just outside the Special Collections doors in the Central Library's Atrium on the sixth floor and is scheduled to run from Thursday, Feb. 1 through Thursday, Feb. 29.
For those unfamiliar, the BSCP was spearheaded by A. Philip Randolph and became famous for its relentless fight against the discriminatory practices of the Pullman Company, which was the largest employer of African Americans in the early 20th century. The union's struggle was not only a labor battle but a fight to gain basic human dignity and civil rights for its members.
This exhibition is more than just a stroll through history; it's an educational opportunity for the UTA community and the public at large to closely examine the contributions of an organization that helped to ultimately reshape the social and political landscape of America. Now, everyone can easily learn more about how the BSCP members fought for fair wages and work conditions, which were hard-fought victories that shouldn't be forgotten.
