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 37’s 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 37’s work advancing black culture and history for a quarter century. Later that evening, Simply Skins drummers led the audience into Amalgamated Professional Employees Local 154’s 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 Children’s 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

At it’s fourth annual celebration Feb. 7, which was dedicated to the late Walter Drummond, Motor Vehicle Operators Local 983 held a night of spiritual jubilation with music from jazz to rap. The Charles Morris Dance Theater, a youth troupe, stirred the crowd. To help Katrina victims in New York City, the local pledged to purchase $1,000 in Metro Cards for victims who were relocated to New York City. Guest speaker City Council member Leroy Comrie said, “Rosa Parks was a warrior in the battle for a better society. That war still wages in our communities. The federal, state and city budgets show the battle lines are drawn and we have real work ahead of us.”

Disco Divas dance troupe performed for L. 768 members Feb. 8. DC 37's Political Action Dept. had guest speaker state Senator Kevin Parker, left, and traditionalAfrican dancers and drummers, above right, Feb. 9.