PEP, April 2009: From King to Obama. Black History Month at DC 37.

King’s battle continues
	An offensive political cartoon published in the New York Post Feb. 18 sparked days of protests and calls to revoke publisher Rupert Murdoch’s broadcast license. The drawing of a chimpanzee gunned down by police after signing the economic stimulus bill was criticized as a racist depiction of President Barack Obama, and many demonstrators’ signs called the Post a “racist rag.” The Rev. Al Sharpton, City Council member Charles Barron and filmmaker Spike Lee led a march of hundreds of offended New Yorkers of all races at the Post’s midtown office. A vocal DC 37 contingent included Local 371 President Faye Moore and Professional Division leaders Stephanie Velez and Nola Brooker. In the tradition of Dr. King, many New Yorkers answered the Post’s halfhearted apology with a commitment to boycott the tabloid. “We’re still fighting to be judged by the content of our character, not the color of our skin,” said one protester.

By DIANE S. WILLIAMS

DC 37 ended Black History Month with an inaugural bash celebrating the historic presidency of Barack Obama, a focus on civil rights pioneers and a view toward the future.

“This is our time to share our personal histories, to come together and celebrate victory,” said Deborah Pitts, who co-chairs the Black History Committee with Robert Ajaye. Finale night Feb. 27 was sponsored by Local 372 and the Committee and featured a short film by 17-year-old Miles Buie that chronicled Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s achievements and Obama’s inspiring campaign speeches. Young orator Muhammad Drammeh, 10, recited Mr. Obama’s inauguration speech verbatim and with feeling.

The theme “From King to Obama” was explored by Local 957 on Feb. 17 with music and praise dance selections by the Mahogany Dancers. Civil Service Technical Guild Local 375’s Feb. 18 event shifted focus as City Council member Letitia James denounced the New York Post’s racist political cartoon depicting Obama as a chimpanzee. “Racism is a sick, sick disease that has to be rooted out in all its forms,” James said. The Council’s John Liu and state Sen. Eric Adams also spoke.
On Feb. 19, Local 768 members watched the Ancestral Horizons Dancers, and heard the Renaissance Steel Chamber Ensemble Band and keynote speaker the Rev. Eli Smith.

Soul singer Gerald Austin sang the ballads of the late crooner Sam Cooke Feb. 20 for members of locals 420 and 1070, who saw the debut of Buie’s film, “From King to Obama.” Guests also included judges and former MELS attorneys Sylvia Hinds Raddix and Sylvia Ash and Assembly member Hakim Jefferies, who called Obama “a shining example of powerful, principled and provocative leadership.”

Local 299 celebrated Black History Month at DC 37 for the first time Feb. 25 with a panel discussion on mental health, addiction and treatment.Political leaders Bill de Blasio, Adam Clayton Powell IV and others attended local events throughout February. Gospel music filled the air as the ARC Choir sang for Local 1549 Feb. 26, and keynoter Dr. Annie B. Martin, president of the NAACP New York branch, said Obama “represents a bridge and a new beginning forus all.”