Black History Month is here! Each year in February, District 6 is proud to celebrate Black History Month to acknowledge the contributions of Black people, past and present, to the labour movement and society as a whole. This important month will be celebrated virtually, due to COVID-19 restrictions.
As we celebrate Black History Month, we reflect on all frontline workers, many of whom are Black people, in the Health Care and other sectors. These workers compromise their health daily and experience increased workloads due to COVID-19. We recognize and appreciate all their sacrifices and commitment to keep us safe, and provide the essential goods and services to our families and communities.
We take this time to reflect and remember great Black icons like Martin Luther King Jr. and his dream for equality and justice which has manifested from Rosa Parks refusing to sit at the back of the bus to Barack Obama sitting in the white house. Other examples include Harriet Tubman, an abolitionist of slavery with the Underground Railroad network, and Jackie Robinson breaking the colour barrier in professional sports.
USW believes in diversity and equality. In collaboration with is allies, we have made significant progress in raising awareness and educating our members and communities on the impact of anti-black racism, systemic racism, and oppression in our workplaces and communities. We recognize that racism is still alive and we will continue to work earnestly with our political leaders to eradicate all forms of discrimination in our workplaces.
We invite you to join the District 6 Human Rights committee in its virtual celebration of Black History Month on February 15, at 7 p.m.
Myles Sullivan, USW District 6 Director-elect
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