Black Pride

Paddy Crumlin and Bevan Longbottom with black artists in Tacoma

MUA pays tribute to African American artists

The MUA shared the microphone with some of America's top talent -- writers, actors, human rights activists and entertainers -- in Tacoma, Washington earlier this year in a celebration of black history and labour.

MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin was guest speaker alongside Prince Cedza Dlamini and Naomi Tutu at a function organised by Black Tacoma ILWU dockworkers.

A member of the Swaziland royal family, Cedza Dlamini, has followed in the footsteps of his grandfather Nelson Mandela in preaching reconciliation and opposing racism. Naomi Tutu is the daughter of South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu. She is also a program coordinator for the Race Relations Institute at Fisk University which focuses on combating racism in the global community.

Keynote speakers were writer, director, actor and Emmy Award nominee Ossie Davis and award winning actress, lecturer, activist and humanitarian, Cicely Tyson.

"A breadth of vision, generosity of spirit and determination live in the heart of a program like this," Paddy Crumlin told the packed hall of longshore workers, community and media. "It resonates far wider than the local community or the American nation. It strikes a chord with all who care to listen and hear a note of optimism for the future."

Crumlin recounted the history of racism and class in the US, noting that the divisions of race were indistinguishable from the divisions of labour.

"The history of black labour laces it shoes with the history of exploitation of cheap labour," said Crumlin. "It is the history of greed and the search for profit at the expense of people. It is made possible by wielding the bludgeons of segregation and unfair competition. But it is also the proud history of black and white workers courageously uniting in opposition to brutality. It is this commitment to action that brings workers and communities together and systematically eliminates the things that keep us apart. The powerful dynamic of the black movement and organised labour has played a strong and effective role in this journey."

Crumlin said racism was a story of corporate and government policies that pitted black and white workers against each other.

"Racism, like sexism, is built on prejudice and fear," he said. "It grows on ignorance. "

Outlining the history of racism in Australia, Crumlin highlighted how Aboriginal Australians were robbed of their land, denied their rights and are still struggling for compensation.

"The understanding of black labour history in the US provides inspiration and fortitude to generations of Australians seeking and sharing your ideals," he said. "Our struggle has earned us one voice and if the door remains locked then we will sing all the louder. Today in Tacoma it is a sweet refrain inspired by black history, black music and black labour. The blues are a melody for all that has been lost in the struggle. Jazz trumpets human creativity and freedom. Rock and rap pound on doors and demand to be heard... And the beat goes on."

And so it did with African American entertainers Veronica E Williams, singer actress, composer, playwright and poet, Darren Motamedy, jazz saxophonist/flutist, 'Sultress of Soul' Korla Wygal and acclaimed poet Agrippa.

Sitting alongside the national secretary on the day was Port Botany wharfie and Aboriginal Australian Bevan Longbottom.

It was his first trip away from Sydney but for one outing to Melbourne a year back. So everything seemed very different on arrival in Los Angeles where Caucasians are now officially a minority.

"African Americans, Latin Americans -- there's a hell of a lot in LA," said Bevan. "And they're really proud of their culture. It is a step up on what we've got here."

The Sydney wharfie found everyone friendly -- "Friendly that I was an Aboriginal and friendly that I was Australian.

"I met lots of activists in Tacoma - Mexican, American Indian, the ILWU guys, they were all part of it, part of America getting together."

The centenary celebrations were all thanks to sponsors and the executive producers, Tacoma longshoremen Willie Adams and Mike Chambers, who dug into their life savings to make it happen.

Willie Adams is also a young African American film maker concentrating on social justice and other progressive concepts.

They said they did it because of their commitment to American youth:

"We have to find new ways to do more and be more to our young people," they said. "They must never be made to feel that they are powerless to effect meaningful change in their lives or in their society. Our young people are the renewal of life and the embodiment of our struggle. Let us therefore commit ourselves from this day forward to vote in greater numbers, speak in louder voices, write with sharper pens, and act with firmer convictions."

The closing benediction was by David Quins, Minister of the Warner Street Church of Christ.

Willie and Mike will be among a delegation of ILWU members to Australia in September to attend an international conference of miners and maritime workers in Newcastle and to celebrate the centenary of the Waterside Workers' Federation.