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Public Employee Press
Sankofa: Recalling the past to understand
the future
Dancers and drummers in a rainbow of colorful Kente signaled the kickoff
of DC 37s 25th annual celebration of Black History Month.
Opening night Feb. 1 began with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a City Council
proclamation in recognition of DC 37s work advancing black culture
and history for a quarter century. Later that evening, Simply Skins drummers
led the audience into Amalgamated Professional Employees Local 154s
program, which was dedicated to Rosa Parks and coordinated by board member
Janice Williams.
Rosa Parks defiance was not about a seat, said Local
President Juan Fernandez. It was about fairness, justice and freedom.
His local represents Human Rights Commission employees, who stand
for rights and protections won by the civil rights movement. We have an
established bond with Rosa Parks, he said.
Most every night in February hundreds of DC 37 members of all races honored
the rich culture of African American struggle and achievement in a diverse
display of powerful speakers, rousing music, poetry, dance, and soul food.
Many DC 37 locals dedicated their programs to Katrina victims and late
civil rights activists Rosa Parks and Coretta Scott King, who died Jan.
30.
On Feb. 2, dozens of local members attended the event offered by Electronic
Data Processing Employees Local 2627, which featured a film presentation
and discussion by Monique Singletary of the African Burial Ground Project
in Lower Manhattan, and soulful blues sung by Alice Tan Ridley.
Slavery, sit-ins and beyond
This is when we come together to talk about issues from the slavery
of the past to the future needs of our children, said Health Services
Employees Local 768 Vice President Barbara Henderson Feb. 8 at an event
that showcased the 768 Gospel Choir, soloist Frances Pasley, and The Kerry
Edge Childrens Dance Ensemble, which was the featured entertainment.
The DC 37 Political Action Committee fused gospel and politics Feb. 9
as Local 299 member Jackie Rowe Adams sang traditional spirituals. City
Council members Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. and David Weprin, and Judge Sylvia
Ash attended the event, which was hosted by PAC Chair Lenny Allen.
After offering a libation in traditional Yoruba, PAC guest speaker state
Sen. Kevin Parker told the crowd of over 200 DC37 unionists, Our
ancestors survived the sugar plantations, segregation and civil rights
sit-ins to clear a path forus to build a better society. They declared
our right to be respected.
Diane S. Williams
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