The Long Winding Path to Social Justice
...the struggle continues
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was the first time that the United States government addressed the racial caste system that had been protected for centuries by unjust laws and systemic brutality of nonwhite people in this country. This essay reviews historic leaders and events to remind us that the work continues and perhaps glean some lessons from their efforts.
The law, in many ways, answered the calls for jobs and freedom in the March on Washington by banning discrimination in the workplace, in our housing system, and programs funded by the government, and marked the death of the Jim Crow South. However, sixty years later, the fight for equality is far from over.
The pandemic exposed many cracks and shortcomings in the fabric of America. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on communities of color highlighted many aspects of the structural racism in America. It exacerbated the pandemic's effects on Black, Latino, and Indigenous communities, lead to severe health impacts and highlighted deep-rooted inequities. The killing of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor's death underlined these crises, sparking international protests and a renewed focus on racial justice
Whitney Young and Dorothy Height were influential figures in both social work and the social justice movement, making significant contributions to civil rights and equality in the United States. Height is considered one of the “Big Six”, of the Civil Rights Movement but her role was frequently ignored by the press and left out of our history books due to sexism.
Dorothy Height, is referred to as the "godmother of the civil rights movement." She was a social worker and civil rights activist who dedicated her life to fighting for equality for both African Americans and women. At age 25, Height began her career as a civil rights activist when she joined the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) after meeting the organizer’s founder, Mary McLeod Bethune. Height emphasized the interconnected nature of racial and gender equality, a concept that has become a galvanizing target today --DEI.
Because of Height’s role in the civil rights movement and her stealth organizing knowledge, she was frequently called on to advise political leaders Dwight D. Eisenhower, Elenor Rosevelt, and Lyndon B. Johnson. In 1963, Height co-organized the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.
One of Height’s most inspiring accomplishments includes the creation of “Wednesdays in Mississippi“, bringing black and white women from the North together to develop relationships with their southern peers. A collaboration effort to build bridges of understanding across regional, racial, and class lines. Height was also a founding member of the Council for United Civil Rights Leadership; an umbrella group formed in 1963 to organize and regulate the Civil Rights Movement. Dorothy had her “Wednesdays in Mississippi” and I host my Monday Good Trouble Chat on Spoutible to build bridges of understanding and collaboration.
Whitney Young was a prominent social worker and civil rights leader who served as the Executive Director of the National Urban League from 1961 to 1971. He played a crucial role in transforming the organization into a powerful force for advocacy of civil rights. Young's approach focused on working within existing systems to effect change, often explaining his position as "Someone has to work within the system to change it.
Whitney Young's leadership transformed the National Urban League (NUL) from a somewhat passive organization into a powerful force for civil rights and social change. A major partner in the 1963 March on Washington, he worked with student protestors, advised sit-in movements, to align the organization with grassroots activism. He also fostered close relationships with CEOs and major corporations, persuading them to hire more black workers and support civil rights initiatives --DEI.
He established the National Urban League's Washington Bureau to lobby Congress, which played a vital role in passing the Civil Rights Act. Young proposed a "Domestic Marshall Plan" calling for $145 billion in spending over 10 years to address poverty, which partially influenced President Johnson's War on Poverty. Like an early “Think Tank” The Washington Bureau played a crucial role in the NUL’s success by serving as the organization's research, policy, and advocacy arm on issues relating to Congress and the Administration. They still exist and
Both Young and Height leveraged their social work backgrounds to advance social justice causes that significantly impacted the civil rights movement and social justice in America. Of course there were many other significant figures involved in the movement work as well.
Walter Reuther played a pivotal role in both the labor movement and the civil rights movement in the United States, using his position as president of the United Auto Workers (UAW) to advocate for social justice and equality. Since A. Philip Randolph first announced plans to hold a massive march on Washington, Reuther played a major role. Labor had two resources the march would need—money and bodies. Reuther also had an extensive political network and a close working relationship with President John F. Kennedy
For years, Reuther had made civil rights a central part of his politics. Labor unions were almost as lily-white as southern schools and Sunday church services. Workers in factories, mines, and furnaces and at construction sites often considered civil rights a zero-sum game, If blacks get the jobs, we don't. But Reuther, a white man, worked hard to convince laborers everywhere, including the South, to accept blacks. Workers are workers, he said, and need to stick together. "Make up your mind whether you want your paycheck or your prejudice," he said.
When he spoke, he stated the matter simply: "We must determine now—once and for all—whether we believe in the United States Constitution." Reuther called civil rights the key to America's credibility in the Cold War. Reuther was a white man in a powerful union, who understood the importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion along with other prominent black men like Dr. Martin Luther King. King Reuther had an extraordinarily close relationship. I will mention a few other key figures.
A. Philip Randolph (1889-1979): President of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the first primarily African American union recognized by a major corporation. He also organized the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.
Bayard Rustin (1912-1987): A key strategist in both the labor and civil rights movements, he helped organize the 1963 March on Washington alongside Randolph.
But there were people before these men and women doing the work of social justice. Frederick Douglass’s life spanned important decades of American history in which the contradictions of race, class and gender were debated. Douglass played a crucial role in those debates. He spoke out against Northern race prejudice as well as Southern slavery. He challenged segregated Sabbaths–either white or black and criticized the race prejudice of immigrant labor organizations which excluded black freemen.
Douglass made significant contributions to the labor rights of African Americans through his advocacy, leadership, and activism: He served as president of the Colored National Labor Union (CNLU) in 1872, an organization formed to advocate for equal representation of African Americans in the workplace
Douglass argued that the government had an obligation to promote fair labor practices and protect people from discrimination. In an 1888 address, he stated that the true purpose of government was to protect the weak against the strong and ensure equal opportunities for all citizens. I think this is still true today.
This is why it was such an honor and so important to interview two amazing human beings that are building on the work started so long ago. It saddens me that it’s even more essential today. Our civil rights that were fought for by many are being eradicated before our eyes.
They have both been long-time contributors and supporters of Advocacy Arena. Lauren Z. is The Director of Advocacy & Policy for National Association of Social Workers – North Carolina Chapter. Gywnne C. was The International Representative, President’s staff, Public Relations Dept. She handled media outreach, internal website mgt, Labor Union Communications and special projects. While their work is in two different sectors there is a distinct intersection of social justice in both.
Social justice strengthens communities by promoting fairness and equality, leading to a more inclusive and resilient society where everyone can thrive. It is crucial for creating a just and equitable society where everyone can live a fulfilling life. It is essential for building strong, resilient communities that can withstand challenges and thrive. The work of social justice is a continuous process that requires ongoing effort and commitment from individuals and communities. When people feel valued, respected, and included, they are more likely to participate in their communities, leading to stronger social bonds and a greater sense of belonging.
Listen to the insightful interview with Lauren and Gwynne to see how the mantle for social justices is still being carried out today. Think about how you can join in that effort. Happy Black History Month.
Sources:
https://socialwork.howard.edu/african-americans-and-labor-honoring-legacy-work-and-social-justice
https://www.nps.gov/people/dorothy-i-height.htm
https://stateofblackamerica.org/reports/2024