Black History
Councilmember Seeks Plan for Former Pullman Porters’ Hotel Damaged in Fire
Richmond City Councilmember Doria Robinson is planning to hold a community meeting in the next few weeks to discuss possible plans for the fire-ravaged International Hotel property. The historic hotel at 396 Ethel Dotson St., which once housed Black porters who had been barred from staying at a nearby, since-demolished white-only hotel, was destroyed in a three-alarm fire in April.
The Richmond Standard
Richmond City Councilmember Doria Robinson is planning to hold a community meeting in the next few weeks to discuss possible plans for the fire-ravaged International Hotel property.
The historic hotel at 396 Ethel Dotson St., which once housed Black porters who had been barred from staying at a nearby, since-demolished white-only hotel, was destroyed in a three-alarm fire in April.
At Tuesday’s council meeting, Robinson expressed a desire to preserve the rich Black history that arose from the privately-owned property.
“We still want to create something in that location,” she said. “I’ve been gathering information about what might be possible, who are the owners, what they’re willing to do. We want to have a community meeting in the next few weeks with Councilmember [Gayle] McLaughlin and folks from the southside to really bring together those ideas, so we can come up with a proposal and not forget about that really powerful Black history…in Richmond.”
Robinson said the community should look for upcoming notices about a meeting with the Pullman Neighborhood Council on this matter. Check the Councilmember’s website for updates.
According to city and the Pullman Neighborhood Council, A. Phillip Randolph built the International Hotel to house the black Pullman Porters who weren’t allowed to stay at the Pullman Hotel during the layovers while the Pullman railcars were being serviced. The International Hotel would also serve as an after-hours joint and night club, where celebrities would gather to entertain porters during the WWII era. It was also a site for much organizing and socializing that eventually led to the establishment of the national Brotherhood of Black Sleeping Car Railroad Porters Union.
Activism
Oakland Post: Week of May 8 – 14, 2024
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of May May 8 – 14, 2024
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Activism
S.F. Black Leaders Rally to Protest, Discuss ‘Epidemic’ of Racial Slurs Against Black Students in SF Public School System
Parents at the meeting spoke of their children as no longer feeling safe in school because of bullying and discrimination. Parents also said that reported incidents such as racial slurs and intimidation are not dealt with to their satisfaction and feel ignored.
By Carla Thomas
San Francisco’s Third Baptist Church hosted a rally and meeting Sunday to discuss hatred toward African American students of the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD).
Rev. Amos C. Brown, president of the San Francisco NAACP and pastor of Third Baptist Church, along with leadership from local civil rights groups, the city’s faith-based community and Black community leadership convened at the church.
“There has been an epidemic of racial slurs and mistreatment of Black children in our public schools in the city,” said Brown. “This will not be tolerated.”
According to civil rights advocate Mattie Scott, students from elementary to high school have reported an extraordinary amount of racial slurs directed at them.
“There is a surge of overt racism in the schools, and our children should not be subjected to this,” said Scott. “Students are in school to learn, develop, and grow, not be hated on,” said Scott. “The parents of the children feel they have not received the support necessary to protect their children.”
Attendees were briefed last Friday in a meeting with SFUSD Superintendent Dr. Matt Wayne.
SFUSD states that their policies protect children and they are not at liberty to publicly discuss the issues to protect the children’s privacy.
Parents at the meeting spoke of their children as no longer feeling safe in school because of bullying and discrimination. Parents also said that reported incidents such as racial slurs and intimidation are not dealt with to their satisfaction and feel ignored.
Some parents said they have removed their students from school while other parents and community leaders called on the removal of the SFUSD superintendent, the firing of certain school principals and the need for more supportive school board members.
Community advocates discussed boycotting the schools and creating Freedom Schools led by Black leaders and educators, reassuring parents that their child’s wellbeing and education are the highest priority and youth are not to be disrupted by racism or policies that don’t support them.
Virginia Marshall, chair of the San Francisco NAACP’s education committee, offered encouragement to the parents and students in attendance while also announcing an upcoming May 14 school board meeting to demand accountability over their mistreatment.
“I’m urging anyone that cares about our students to pack the May 14 school board meeting,” said Marshall.
This resource was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library via California Black Media as part of the Stop the Hate Program. The program is supported by partnership with California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.
Activism
Oakland Post: Week of May 1 – 7, 2024
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