In Memory
of PETER H. CLARK
Railroad workers need to know about Peter
H. Clark. This nineteenth century African-American educator
conducted a life-long crusade for equality and campaigned
tirelessly to advance the cause of organized labor.
Clark's important contributions to the rights
of all working peope reached a peak during the Great Railroad
Strike of 1877, which he supported with speeches to thousands
of workers. He proclaimed railroad workers' right to organize
and strike against the railroad monopoly's imposition of drastic
wage cuts.
But Peter H. Clark was more than just a labor
leader. As an educator in the African-American community he
fought for equal educational opportunity for all children.
He also organized an association of African-American teachers,
probably the first teacher's union in America.
Peter H. Clark also valued political independence.
Disillusioned by big business' control of the Republican and
Democratic Parties, he began to search for more effective
ways for workers to gain political power. He recalled the
support he received from socialist leaders in earlier struggles
and began to work actively for an American socialism as a
way to realize his high ideals.
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