Black Freedom Fighters in Steel: The Struggle for Democratic Unionism (ILR Press books) [Paperback]

Ruth Needleman (Author)

Book Description

Series: ILR Press books | Publication Date: May 2003

Thousands of African Americans poured into northwest Indiana in the 1920s dreaming of decent-paying jobs and a life without Klansmen, chain gangs, and cotton. Black Freedom Fighters in Steel: The Struggle for Democratic Unionism by Ruth Needleman adds a new dimension to the literature on race and labor. It tells the story of five men born in the South who migrated north for a chance to work the dirtiest and most dangerous jobs in the steel mills. Individually they fought for equality and justice; collectively they helped construct economic and union democracy in postwar America. George Kimbley, the oldest, grew up in Kentucky across the street from the family who had owned his parents. He fought with a French regiment in World War I and then settled in Gary, Indiana, in 1920 to work in steel. He joined the Steelworkers Organizing Committee and became the first African American member of its full-time staff in 1938. The youngest, Jonathan Comer, picked cotton on his father's land in Alabama, stood up to racism in the military during World War II, and became the first African American to be president of a basic steel local union. This is a book about the integration of unions, as well as about five remarkable individuals. It focuses on the decisive role of African American leaders in building interracial unionism. One chapter deals with the African American struggle for representation, highlighting the importance of independent black organization within the union. Needleman also presents a conversation among two pioneering steelworkers and current African American union leaders about the racial politics of union activism.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

"This remarkable book reveals the hidden history of long-forgotten black steelworkers and their seminal role in the struggle for union democracy and workers' rights on the shop floor. Ruth Needleman's book is a critical text in the history of black industrial workers' struggles and their contributions to working people regardless of where they may have toiled." --Studs Terkel

"Black Freedom Fighters in Steel is a beautiful story of five black union organizers, long-distance runners who were indispensable to building the steel workers union as well as the civil rights movement in northwest Indiana. And they never stopped struggling, despite having to battle generations of white racism and intransigence in their own union. Ruth Needleman proves once again that African American workers have consistently sustained the most inclusive, radical vision of working class solidarity the U.S. labor movement has ever known." --Robin D. G. Kelley, author of Freedom Dreams: The Black Radical Imagination (2002)

"Inspiring and thought-provoking, Ruth Needleman's book reveals an often overlooked segment of black working-class history. This compelling analysis provides a foundation for considering strategies of labor renewal and black worker power. " --Bill Fletcher, Jr. President, TransAfrica Forum. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Ruth Needleman is Professor of Labor Studies at Indiana University Northwest in Gary, where she created a special college degree program, known as Swingshift College, for steelworkers. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 305 pages
• Publisher: Cornell Univ Pr (May 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801488583
• ISBN-13: 978-0801488580
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,019,618 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Big 5 in Northwest Indiana, April 26, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Black Freedom Fighters in Steel: The Struggle for Democratic Unionism (ILR Press books) (Hardcover)

This book is a must read for anyone interested in the early struggles of steelworkers and their fight for unionism and equality. It follows the lives of 5 "freedom fighters", George Kimbley, Bill Young, John Howard, Curtis Strong, and Jonathan Comer and what they went through in the early years of the black steelworkers quest for equality. It continues up to the present day and details the struggles we are currently involved in. There were many years of interviews and meetings with these individuals as well as other labor leaders to bring out the facts and the details of every aspect of the labor movement during these history making decades. Lots of historic photographs are added to make you seemingly relive the actual times that these events took place. An excellent job by Ruth Needleman and her staff.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Outstanding Contribution to the Literature, May 18, 2003

By 

"elsmom" (Gary, IN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Freedom Fighters in Steel: The Struggle for Democratic Unionism (ILR Press books) (Paperback)

This is an exceptional book with information and insight not found anywhere else. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the civil rights movement, especially in the north, and anyone interested in the history of unionism in the steel industry. Not only did Needleman have unparalleled access to her subjects, she was able to use this access to its fullest benefit in her analysis and narrative. Even the notes in this book are fascinating, and the depth of research is evident in the references and bibliography. An incisive scholarly work, the book is also great reading and holds the reader's interest throughout. A terrific addition to the literature on the subject.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Execellent exploration of black steelworkers, May 18, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Black Freedom Fighters in Steel: The Struggle for Democratic Unionism (ILR Press books) (Paperback)

This is an excellent exploration of the changing worlds and struggles of black steelworkers not just in Northwest Indiana but also nationally through the 20th century. Needleman sensitively deals with the stories of five black union activists, then expands their experiences in tracing issues of power and race in the steelworkers union to the present. Goes well beyond all previous studies in caputuring not only the personal anguish but also the various organizational dilemmas of black steelworkers struggling amidst very difficult and changing racial circumstances. Highly recommended!!!