A Steward's Life Changing Experience
Melvin Anderson Sr., Union Steward
All
aboard, being surrounded by hard working African Americans like myself, on my
way to a journey of unawares. Quietness became laughter, mystery became yet
more of a mystery. Many questions I had gathered in my mind about this
AFRAM-SEIU agenda. What specifically is AFRAM? What would it be like to be
surrounded by a national caucus? Well, this new member would soon find out…
Getting off the bus, entering this luxurious hotel in downtown Milwaukee, I
began to see more faces of people like me from all over the country. We
gathered into a ballroom and that room became a home to a great big family of
black folks and some other ethnic backgrounds that supported the struggle.
There was a panel discussion that was incredibly informative, hearing things
I’ve never heard before. Discussions about politics, education, social
development, and justice. What needed to be done to better our culture? There
were topnotch leaders on the panel, one of whom I’ll never forget, Mr. Marcel
Smiley (President of AFRAM-SEIU). This specific leader was a man of authority,
yet concerned about today’s issues. He found room in his heart to gather for
this caucus some influential African American leaders to fellowship with us and
inform us about our society. We listened…
Melvin Anderson Sr.
Shop Steward
If you could have seen
just ten percent of this place it would have humbled you in one second.
All aboard, no it was not over, we were not on our way back
to our residence. We were going to meet some of our great ancestors at the
Black American Holocaust Center. This center was dedicated to the only living
Afro American lynching survivor, Mr. James Cameron. What a great honor to step
into the very doors of brilliance, love and power. Entering, I recall being in
a quarter house (residence for slaves). I saw the prices for a human being, I
saw the ships, I saw the chains, I saw the imprisonment, I saw the lynches, I
saw the cries and I saw our Mothers, Fathers, Sisters and Brothers…I saw
history. The music of our late James Brown, Anita Baker and others echoed the
halls of this museum. As King Saul (a biblical king), the sound of music held
back the tears, and kept me emotionally intact as I watched the pictures of the
struggle, the struggle for freedom. The struggle for freedom was in the very
faces of our Malcolm’s, Martin’s, Harriet’s, and Rosa’s. If you could have seen
just ten percent of this place it would have humbled you in one second. I did
not want to leave, I stayed until I could stay no more. I left with hope; hope
to continue the struggle for freedom.
I was then aware of the AFRAM agenda and anticipated hearing
more. I decided then to become an active member of AFRAM-SEIU, to assist our
people in educating our work environments and communities. Attending more
meetings gave me the insight I needed to take back to Minnesota. This was one
of the most, if not best, event in all my life… Thanks to AFRAM-SEIU.
Click here to learn
about AFRAM