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Above The Fold - March 22, 2010
Courageous Author, Entrepreneur,
And Cultural Activist
For more than a decade, Lyn Hughes, a cultural activist-scholar and founder of the A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter museum, has generated interest in urban historic and cultural heritage preservation. She is a committed advocate for the revitalization of the Cultural and Historical Pride of the African American Community; however, her work is now being viewed at the international level as an excellent example of putting theory into practice. In1995, she founded the A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum In Chicago Illinois, the first of its kind in the nation. She established this Institution as a living example and memorial to the contributions of and the participation of African Americans in the American Labor Movement.
The publication of An Anthology Of Respect: The Pullman Porters National Historic Registry Of African American Railroad Employees represents a unique scholarly contribution to the fields of African American and American Labor History. Being a firm believer in the concept of lifelong learning, Ms Hughes is currently a doctoral candidate in the College of Education at Northern Illinois University (NIU) in DeKalb, Illinois. Her Dissertation research focuses on Cultural Policy and Cultural Economic Development
To learn more about Lyn, visit her website at:
BOOK VIDEO TRAILER:
An Anthology Of Respect
(Lyn Hughes)
An Anthology Of Respect
(Lyn Hughes)
Official Apex Reviews Interview: Lyn Hughes (An Anthology Of Respect)
Apex Reviews: Thanks for joining us for this interview, Lyn. We're looking forward to sharing more about your book and other efforts with our readers.
What served as the primary inspiration for the book?
Lyn Hughes: As mentioned in 1995 I founded the first black labor history museum in the country. After doing so I began to meet descendants on the telephone some when traveling to Chicago would stop by the museum. Most if not all are very interesting people. After a while I began to think the men who worked on the railroad during that era had to be something special because repeatedly reoccurring themes emerged in my conversation with these people. They all had a high value on education, family, dignity and respect for others and themselves. At this point I began to wish I could talk to and meet more of them to see if those themes continued.
So I worked on getting a sponsor to fund a national advertising campaign to work on creating a registry of these men. That sponsor was American Family Insurance. In so doing, that process began to shape itself. The end result was the campaign took off and I received over 7000 response. While roughly half were duplications, i.e., multiple family members. After reading some of the comments received from the family members I knew that their responses should be shared. That is when the idea for the book emerged.
AR: Approximately how long did it take you to craft the volume?
LH: Compiling the registry data took me five years. Putting the book together took another year.
AR: Please share with our readers precisely who the Pullman Porters were.
LH: Pullman Porters and Dining Car Waiters were the onboard crew of the trains which was the major mode of travel during the late 1800-up to the early 1950’s. If I may the words of my poem describes them best.
They were fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and brothers — men who cared enough to make the sacrifices that they made to provide for their families. They endured racism, classism, hate and bigotry, for family. They planted seeds, in a bloodline that would grow into the “I CAN spirit,” a desire to want to know more, be more; they imparted in us the undeniable power of purpose, embedded in our DNA, pride in oneself and gave us the understanding that with it, the human spirit is un-crushable.
In those quiet family conversations and leading by sheer example, they imparted in us a thirst for education, and impressed upon us the knowledge that we had a right to dream and have aspirations just like anyone else. But most of all they very subtly but consistently released to us that sense of responsibility we all have to our ancestors that we must continue to strive for that better life for ourselves and for our families and in generations to come.
Right after the end of slavery, George Pullman developed the Pullman Sleeping Car. It was equivalent to the first class travel on today’s air plane but really a step above. It was quite luxurious. Pullman wanted employees that he felt would complement what he was selling, luxury. He decided to hire the newly freed slaves, specifically the one who had worked in the houses and the business of the slave owners. Thos who were socially cultivated. These were the first generation of Pullman Porters. Of course not having been paid for work before now they gladly took the jobs. The pay was low and they were not respected as you might imagine, however, they took the ill treatment because it was a job that was considered at the time the cream of the crop for Black man. It took a while but they finally realized that they needed employee representation; however, they were not welcome in the all white unions at the time. So they decided to form their own union.
It took a lot of time and sacrifice but after 12 years the Pullman company had to recognize their union. They became the first African American labor union in American to be chartered with the AFL; they were the first to win a collective bargaining agreement with a major US corporation in the United States. Their method of organizing became useful during the early civil rights effort.
What most people don’t know is that they were the driving force behind the civil rights movement long following the Civil War. It was more the rule and not the exception that they were educated and socially cultivated African American men in our communities who because of the color of their skin could find employment in professions that they were qualified for.
AR: Why do you think the Pullman Porters aren't as well known as other notable figures in African American history?
LH: I asked myself that question: What I learned from talking to many who I have had the privilege to meet over the years, they did not talk about what they accomplished. And as a people although most of their descendants expressed their gratitude among other family members, there was an un-discussed embarrassment of having a member of their family work in the service industry. It is only recently over the past 15 year or so that their history and their contributions have began to be discussed and celebrated. I like to think that has emerged as a result of my establishing the museum and the national publicity that come about as a result of that. Opportunities like the original SHOWTIME movie 10,000 Black Men Named George, with Mario Van Peoples, Andre Braugher, and Charles Dutton, directed by Robert Townsend and frequent national coverage on the survivors, and the feature last year on Good Morning America have all helped to bring this history the much deserved attention.
AR: What's the main message that you'd like readers to take away from the book?
LH:
• The importance of unity. Understanding that a unified people can accomplish much.
• To provide an example that there was a time in our history that Black men worked to provide for their families. That there is dignity for in a man working at an average job. Not everyone can or will be in the NBA, or a singer, actor, etc.
• Most importantly whatever your job is, take pride in whatever that job is, and do it well.
The average person today would really be surprised to know some of the men who worked as Pullman Porters and Dining Car waiters, who made a difference in this country. For example, Mathew Henson a former Pullman Porter from Baltimore Maryland, co-discover of the North Pole Supreme Court justice Thurgood Marshall, famous educator, Benjamin Elijah Mays, Gordon Parks internationally renowned photographer, Malcolm X.
Also most people would be surprised to know who some of their descendants are, people like media mogul Tom Joyner, actor/comedian Whoopi Goldberg are the grand children of Pullman porters, Willie Brown Jr. the first African America Mayor of San Francisco, Tom Bradley the first African American elected to Los Angeles city council and the second African American to be elected Mayor to a major US city, Olympian Wilma Rudolph. I could go on, but I just wanted to share some with you.
AR: Please share more with us about your publishing company, Hughes-Peterson Publishing.
LH: It is really a fledgling entity that I decided to launch the co-publishing of this book hope to grow into a business as a multimedia publishing entity.
AR: In addition to being an author, you're also a cultural activist. Please share more with our readers about your endeavors in that field.
LH: In the 18 years of being what I am referred to that is a cultural activist, I have focused on what I call cultural economic development. That is encouraging African Americans to develop businesses and projects in their communities that are centered on our culture. In 1995 I realized CED falls under the umbrella of Heritage Tourism which is a multibillion dollar industry. I also recognized that all around the country everyone else is selling, very successfully, their culture. In virtually every city in this country there is a China Town, a Greek Town etc, additionally at a growing rate; there are those who are capitalizing the rich history heritage and culture of African Americans. It seemed to me that there was and simply tremendous opportunities in this area. So travel around the country and internationally as well speaking on this issue. Using the work that I have done in Chicago as an example of what can be done.
Most people think of tourism as other people who travel and on vacations etc. And that is true but when you travel you go to all kinds of business both big and small. Heritage tourism development i.e., (cultural economic development) is a proven community economic development strategy that generates new jobs in the growth industries of travel, hospitality, and entertainment business like Bed and Breakfast operators, Restaurants, novelty shops, clothing stores, guided tour businesses, transportation services, bus companies, clubs, galleries etc. just to name a few.
AR: What's next for you?
LH: I would like to do more speaking engagements to promote Cultural economic Development, and also to encourage young African Americans to look at the museum industry as a career path. I will be starting a to work on a 2nd book and hopefully get on the best sellers list (smile).
AR: Do you have a website where our readers can learn more about you and your ongoing efforts?
LH: http://www.aphiliprandolphpullmanportermuseum.com
AR: How can they contact you directly?
LH: Through the museum's website or cultrlentrepreneur@sbcglobal.net
AR: Any final thoughts you'd like to share?
LH: I would like to thank you for your interest in the history of these men who contributed so much to this country in so many ways that most people aren’t even aware of.
AR: Thanks again, Lyn, and best of continued success to you in all your endeavors!
Apex Reviews: Thanks for joining us for this interview, Lyn. We're looking forward to sharing more about your book and other efforts with our readers.
What served as the primary inspiration for the book?
Lyn Hughes: As mentioned in 1995 I founded the first black labor history museum in the country. After doing so I began to meet descendants on the telephone some when traveling to Chicago would stop by the museum. Most if not all are very interesting people. After a while I began to think the men who worked on the railroad during that era had to be something special because repeatedly reoccurring themes emerged in my conversation with these people. They all had a high value on education, family, dignity and respect for others and themselves. At this point I began to wish I could talk to and meet more of them to see if those themes continued.
So I worked on getting a sponsor to fund a national advertising campaign to work on creating a registry of these men. That sponsor was American Family Insurance. In so doing, that process began to shape itself. The end result was the campaign took off and I received over 7000 response. While roughly half were duplications, i.e., multiple family members. After reading some of the comments received from the family members I knew that their responses should be shared. That is when the idea for the book emerged.
AR: Approximately how long did it take you to craft the volume?
LH: Compiling the registry data took me five years. Putting the book together took another year.
AR: Please share with our readers precisely who the Pullman Porters were.
LH: Pullman Porters and Dining Car Waiters were the onboard crew of the trains which was the major mode of travel during the late 1800-up to the early 1950’s. If I may the words of my poem describes them best.
They were fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and brothers — men who cared enough to make the sacrifices that they made to provide for their families. They endured racism, classism, hate and bigotry, for family. They planted seeds, in a bloodline that would grow into the “I CAN spirit,” a desire to want to know more, be more; they imparted in us the undeniable power of purpose, embedded in our DNA, pride in oneself and gave us the understanding that with it, the human spirit is un-crushable.
In those quiet family conversations and leading by sheer example, they imparted in us a thirst for education, and impressed upon us the knowledge that we had a right to dream and have aspirations just like anyone else. But most of all they very subtly but consistently released to us that sense of responsibility we all have to our ancestors that we must continue to strive for that better life for ourselves and for our families and in generations to come.
Right after the end of slavery, George Pullman developed the Pullman Sleeping Car. It was equivalent to the first class travel on today’s air plane but really a step above. It was quite luxurious. Pullman wanted employees that he felt would complement what he was selling, luxury. He decided to hire the newly freed slaves, specifically the one who had worked in the houses and the business of the slave owners. Thos who were socially cultivated. These were the first generation of Pullman Porters. Of course not having been paid for work before now they gladly took the jobs. The pay was low and they were not respected as you might imagine, however, they took the ill treatment because it was a job that was considered at the time the cream of the crop for Black man. It took a while but they finally realized that they needed employee representation; however, they were not welcome in the all white unions at the time. So they decided to form their own union.
It took a lot of time and sacrifice but after 12 years the Pullman company had to recognize their union. They became the first African American labor union in American to be chartered with the AFL; they were the first to win a collective bargaining agreement with a major US corporation in the United States. Their method of organizing became useful during the early civil rights effort.
What most people don’t know is that they were the driving force behind the civil rights movement long following the Civil War. It was more the rule and not the exception that they were educated and socially cultivated African American men in our communities who because of the color of their skin could find employment in professions that they were qualified for.
AR: Why do you think the Pullman Porters aren't as well known as other notable figures in African American history?
LH: I asked myself that question: What I learned from talking to many who I have had the privilege to meet over the years, they did not talk about what they accomplished. And as a people although most of their descendants expressed their gratitude among other family members, there was an un-discussed embarrassment of having a member of their family work in the service industry. It is only recently over the past 15 year or so that their history and their contributions have began to be discussed and celebrated. I like to think that has emerged as a result of my establishing the museum and the national publicity that come about as a result of that. Opportunities like the original SHOWTIME movie 10,000 Black Men Named George, with Mario Van Peoples, Andre Braugher, and Charles Dutton, directed by Robert Townsend and frequent national coverage on the survivors, and the feature last year on Good Morning America have all helped to bring this history the much deserved attention.
AR: What's the main message that you'd like readers to take away from the book?
LH:
• The importance of unity. Understanding that a unified people can accomplish much.
• To provide an example that there was a time in our history that Black men worked to provide for their families. That there is dignity for in a man working at an average job. Not everyone can or will be in the NBA, or a singer, actor, etc.
• Most importantly whatever your job is, take pride in whatever that job is, and do it well.
The average person today would really be surprised to know some of the men who worked as Pullman Porters and Dining Car waiters, who made a difference in this country. For example, Mathew Henson a former Pullman Porter from Baltimore Maryland, co-discover of the North Pole Supreme Court justice Thurgood Marshall, famous educator, Benjamin Elijah Mays, Gordon Parks internationally renowned photographer, Malcolm X.
Also most people would be surprised to know who some of their descendants are, people like media mogul Tom Joyner, actor/comedian Whoopi Goldberg are the grand children of Pullman porters, Willie Brown Jr. the first African America Mayor of San Francisco, Tom Bradley the first African American elected to Los Angeles city council and the second African American to be elected Mayor to a major US city, Olympian Wilma Rudolph. I could go on, but I just wanted to share some with you.
AR: Please share more with us about your publishing company, Hughes-Peterson Publishing.
LH: It is really a fledgling entity that I decided to launch the co-publishing of this book hope to grow into a business as a multimedia publishing entity.
AR: In addition to being an author, you're also a cultural activist. Please share more with our readers about your endeavors in that field.
LH: In the 18 years of being what I am referred to that is a cultural activist, I have focused on what I call cultural economic development. That is encouraging African Americans to develop businesses and projects in their communities that are centered on our culture. In 1995 I realized CED falls under the umbrella of Heritage Tourism which is a multibillion dollar industry. I also recognized that all around the country everyone else is selling, very successfully, their culture. In virtually every city in this country there is a China Town, a Greek Town etc, additionally at a growing rate; there are those who are capitalizing the rich history heritage and culture of African Americans. It seemed to me that there was and simply tremendous opportunities in this area. So travel around the country and internationally as well speaking on this issue. Using the work that I have done in Chicago as an example of what can be done.
Most people think of tourism as other people who travel and on vacations etc. And that is true but when you travel you go to all kinds of business both big and small. Heritage tourism development i.e., (cultural economic development) is a proven community economic development strategy that generates new jobs in the growth industries of travel, hospitality, and entertainment business like Bed and Breakfast operators, Restaurants, novelty shops, clothing stores, guided tour businesses, transportation services, bus companies, clubs, galleries etc. just to name a few.
AR: What's next for you?
LH: I would like to do more speaking engagements to promote Cultural economic Development, and also to encourage young African Americans to look at the museum industry as a career path. I will be starting a to work on a 2nd book and hopefully get on the best sellers list (smile).
AR: Do you have a website where our readers can learn more about you and your ongoing efforts?
LH: http://www.aphiliprandolphpullmanportermuseum.com
AR: How can they contact you directly?
LH: Through the museum's website or cultrlentrepreneur@sbcglobal.net
AR: Any final thoughts you'd like to share?
LH: I would like to thank you for your interest in the history of these men who contributed so much to this country in so many ways that most people aren’t even aware of.
AR: Thanks again, Lyn, and best of continued success to you in all your endeavors!