Black Freedom Fighters in Steel: The Struggle for Democratic Unionism (ILR Press Books)

By Ruth Needleman

Book Overview

Thousands of African Americans poured into northwest Indiana in the 1920s dreaming of decent-paying jobs and a life without Klansmen, chain gangs, and cotton. Black Freedom Fighters in Steel: The Struggle for Democratic Unionism by Ruth Needleman adds a new dimension to the literature on race and labor. It tells the story of five men born in the South who migrated north for a chance to work the dirtiest and most dangerous jobs in the steel mills. Individually they fought for equality and justice; collectively they helped construct economic and union democracy in postwar America. George Kimbley, the oldest, grew up in Kentucky across the street from the family who had owned his parents. He fought with a French regiment in World War I and then settled in Gary, Indiana, in 1920 to work in steel. He joined the Steelworkers Organizing Committee and became the first African American member of its full-time staff in 1938. The youngest, Jonathan Comer, picked cotton on his father's land in Alabama, stood up to racism in the military during World War II, and became the first African American to be president of a basic steel local union. This is a book about the integration of unions, as well as about five remarkable individuals. It focuses on the decisive role of African American leaders in building interracial unionism. One chapter deals with the African American struggle for representation, highlighting the importance of independent black organization within the union. Needleman also presents a conversation among two pioneering steelworkers and current African American union leaders about the racial politics of union activism.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0801488583
• ISBN13: 9780801488580
• Release Date: March 2003
• Publisher: ILR Press
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.1" x 9.0"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

great new work on labor

Admirable example of ethnographic methods to reveal the critical participation of African Americans in the labor movement. Needleman provides new evidence that black leaders were instrumental in breaking down barriers of racial discrimination. In this work, Needleman deftly examines how African Americans took on powerful labor leaders and built autonomous African American organizations to encourage desegregation and the development of inter-racial alliances. The writer is clearly among the leading ethnographers in the field, and this book makes a solid contribution to understanding the movement for racial justice in America. Highly recommended.

An Outstanding Contribution to the Literature

This is an exceptional book with information and insight not found anywhere else. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the civil rights movement, especially in the north, and anyone interested in the history of unionism in the steel industry. Not only did Needleman have unparalleled access to her subjects, she was able to use this access to its fullest benefit in her analysis and narrative. Even the notes in this book are fascinating, and the depth of research is evident in the references and bibliography. An incisive scholarly work, the book is also great reading and holds the reader's interest throughout. A terrific addition to the literature on the subject.

A message for everyone here!

Needleman's book is a finely crafted blend of history and human interest. Though it focuses on the lives of five black unionists, there is a message here for everyone, regardless of race. Needleman probes each man's mind, revealing five distinct variations on a central theme. She then relates their experiences to those of other steel workers, putting it all in the context of the evolution of the USWA in a changing industrial climate. Great book. Easy to read. A real lesson in life.

Execellent exploration of black steelworkers

This is an excellent exploration of the changing worlds and struggles of black steelworkers not just in Northwest Indiana but also nationally through the 20th century. Needleman sensitively deals with the stories of five black union activists, then expands their experiences in tracing issues of power and race in the steelworkers union to the present. Goes well beyond all previous studies in caputuring not only the personal anguish but also the various organizational dilemmas of black steelworkers struggling amidst very difficult and changing racial circumstances. Highly recommended!!!

The Big 5 in Northwest Indiana

This book is a must read for anyone interested in the early struggles of steelworkers and their fight for unionism and equality. It follows the lives of 5 "freedom fighters", George Kimbley, Bill Young, John Howard, Curtis Strong, and Jonathan Comer and what they went through in the early years of the black steelworkers quest for equality. It continues up to the present day and details the struggles we are currently involved in. There were many years of interviews and meetings with these individuals as well as other labor leaders to bring out the facts and the details of every aspect of the labor movement during these history making decades. Lots of historic photographs are added to make you seemingly relive the actual times that these events took place. An excellent job by Ruth Needleman and her staff.