Film on Pullman porters union "10,000 Black Men Named George" July 14, 2011

A film on the struggle to organize the first Black labor union

In the 1920s, the rights of American workers to join a labor union was still considered an open question, and African-Americans were routinely denied their civil and economic rights. In 1925, when journalist and political activist Asa Philip Randolph and railway car porter Ashley Totten formed the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, it was a bold gesture which proved to have a major impact in both labor and race relations in America.

The film dramatizes the struggle to organize the railway porters. The demanding and sometimes dangerous job was held almost exclusively by Black men who were paid starvation wages for demanding hours. The workers faced staunch opposition from the head of the Pullman company—a fierce opponent of both unionization and civil rights initiatives. The title, 10,000 Black Men Named George, refers to the fact that the porters were often called “George”—a racial slur—by white passengers. Starring Mario Van Peebles, Andre Braugher. 2002, 95min.

$5-10 donation (no one turned away for lack of funds)
Wheelchair accessible. Refreshments provided.

Official Website: http://www.ANSWERsf.org