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Teacher's Guide for FOOTSTEPS Blacks and the RailroadsJanuary 2002
Teacher Guide prepared by: Leslie Anderson Morales.
Objectives - To examine the impact of class differences on social and political issues
- To assess the role of media on social and political change
- To understand the role of unions in the marketplace
- To learn about the lives of African-Americans who worked for the Pullman Corporation
- To understand the relationship between service industry workers and the economy
Not only did the Pullman Corporation employ large numbers of African-Americans, it made large donations to African-American churches and placed advertisements in The Chicago Defender, a black-owned newspaper with a predominately African-American readership. Many members of the black middle class and the black elite opposed the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. - Give examples of those occupations and professions that are considered "middle class" and "elite."
- How do members of the "middle class" and "elite" contribute to the community as professionals and as individuals? Name individuals in your own community who might be considered members of these classes.
- Give examples of those occupations and trades that are considered "lower class" and "working class."
- How do members of the "lower class" and "working class" contribute to the community as workers and as individuals? Name individuals in your own community who might be considered members of these classes.
- What values and goals do the classes have in common? What dreams do they share for themselves and their families?
A. Philip Randolph and Chandler Owens started The Messenger in 1917 as a magazine concerned with social and political change. The Chicago Defender, a weekly newspaper, was established in 1905. During the early 20th century, The Defender published many articles encouraging African-Americans who lived in the South to improve their conditions by moving north. - Describe three individuals who might have subscribed to or read The Messenger.
- Describe three individuals who might have subscribed to or read The Chicago Defender.
- General interest newspapers and magazines make money from advertising dollars - not subscribers' fees. Describe the types of advertisements that appear in your daily newspaper.
- Editors decide which stories are published and how the stories are presented. Stories therefore reflect the editorial philosophy or position of the publication. Write two or three paragraphs about the same event as it might have appeared in The Messenger and in The Chicago Defender. You might want to pick an actual event from this issue.
Pullman Corporation was the nation's single largest employer of African-Americans. Uneducated and educated men worked as porters. Sometimes a father and son worked alongside an entire family of brothers or cousins. - Which jobs in the rail industry had the most status? Which jobs had the least status? Why?
- Name contemporary American jobs that have low status and steady income. Would you take such a job?
Because the Pullman porter relied heavily on tips to supplement his low wages, "a decent wage" was a key issue for the Brotherhood. - Make a list of service workers who earn a portion of their income from tips.
- When economic times are good, consumers have more discretionary income. They travel more and eat out more frequently. Describe how economic prosperity and decline affect service workers.
- Tip jars now appear on the counters of doughnut shops and carryout restaurants. Do you think this is fair to the worker? Is it fair to the customer? What are the risks and advantages of tipping?
Unions protect the income, benefits, and job security of union members. They negotiate for wage and benefit increases. They are also concerned about safety and working conditions. Unions are not limited to manufacturing and service industries; they also represent entertainers and athletes. - Overall, union membership is declining. Do you think a person should be required to join the union that represents his or her occupation? What are the risks and benefits of being a union member?
- If contract negotiations stall, union members have the right to withhold services. This is called "going on strike." Management also has rights. It can resort to a "lockout," closing its doors for business. How has a union strike affected you personally? Have the garbage collectors in your community ever gone on strike? Has your favorite athlete started the playing season later than usual because the players' union was in contract negotiations? Did you worry about being stuck with TV re-runs?
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