The Maryland State AFL-CIO Blog

THE ENSLAVEMENT OF AFRICANS IN THE UNITED STATES WAS WRONG!

Whereas, between 1619 and 1865, millions of Africans and their descendants were enslaved in the 13 colonies and the United States; and

Whereas, this system of slavery is recognized as being the most brutal, dehumanizing and humiliating known to history, as people were sold at auction as chattel, killed at will and families torn apart; and

Whereas, after 246 years of legally sanction slavery and the end of the Civil War and the passage of the 13th Amendment, prohibiting slavery except as punishment for a crime; and after emancipation, African Americans saw the hope and promises of ‘freedom’ diminished by “Jim Crow” and a system of Black Codes that established a horrific system of race separation and segregation in all areas of American life; and

Whereas, African Americans still suffer from the evils of slavery and “Jim Crow”, as evidenced negatively in social and economic indicators, resulting in the loss of income, quality of life and dignity; and,

Whereas, the realities of slavery and ‘Jim Crow’ and their lingering practices and effects must not be purged or left out of the telling of our American story, or the progress of its peoples; and

Whereas, in 2003, President Bush appropriately stated that:  ‘Slavery was .… one of the greatest crimes of history….And many of the issues that still trouble America have roots in the bitter experience of other times.  But however long the journey, our destiny is set:  liberty and justice for all”; and

Whereas, the National AFL-CIO in 2015 established its Commission on Race and the Economy, acknowledging that:  “America’s legacy of racism and racial injustice has been and continues to be a fundamental obstacle to workers’ efforts to act together…..We have to find a way to see with each other’s eyes, and address the facts and realities….The fight against racism is about whom we choose to be….To that end, it is time for a frank and thoughtful discussion on racial inequality;”

Now Therefore Be It Resolved, that the Maryland State and District of Columbia AFL-CIO commits to the furtherance of that discussion and will seek to enhance that discussion, and strengthen the unity among workers, by acknowledging and stating unequivocally that the Enslavement of Africans in the United States of America Was Wrong! And,

Therefore Be It Finally Resolved, that we will popularize this acknowledgement at all levels of the union movement and in our communities, using this acknowledgement to help guide us in our continuing discussions and the search for equitable solutions to our country’s ongoing racial challenges.

The Gay Union Organizer Who Helped MLK Change the World

As America prepares to observe the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination today, there is one name you may not hear: Bayard Rustin. A close confidante and mentor of King, Rustin was a key leader of the civil rights movement and chief organizer of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. He proved to be a transformative figure in the fight for racial justice, even introducing King to the Gandhian principles of nonviolence that would come to define the struggle. He also happened to be gay. 

Rustin understood that we are all connected. His commitment to solidarity and passion for organizing made him a natural fit for the labor movement. He launched the AFL-CIO's A. Philip Randolph Institute to extend the fight for economic justice to people of color. He knew that achieving a just society required securing jobs and freedom for all Americans. That vision for an inclusive, empowered coalition resonates just as powerfully decades later.

Understanding the Role of the Disambiguation in Relationship Dynamic

Relationships are a broad category. There can be any number of relationships. Common types of relationships include: romantic relationships, social, business, religious and intimate relationships. Each relationship has a common theme and usually ends in marriage or death. Some of the more common types of relationships are discussed below.

Romantic relationships are most likely to develop between people who are attracted to each other but don't have much in common. This kind of relationship can be found on iskuri. Generally, members in such a social grouping have high emotional value to each other and so relationships are often very happy and fulfilling. By that logic, a romantic relationship is considered to be the most positive relationship. A few categories in which relationships are most common include: friendship relationships where two people have similar high values and have a lot of similarities; couple relationships where at least one partner has high values and/or similarities; professional relationships where both partners have similar higher values; parent-child relationships where at least one parent has higher values than the other. Religious relationships tend to be happier and less stressful than most other relationships.

Social relationships refer to those that involve two or more people who live together, work together or interact socially with others. The most common types of social relationships are: community relationships where a set of people who share a set of beliefs or norms interact with each other; interpersonal relationships where there is little interaction beyond superficial interactions; couples relationships in which there is little or no sexual interaction. The most common types of social relationships also have common themes, like shared values, common interests or hobbies, and common friends. By this description, a community is considered to be a group of people who live together, work together or interact socially.

Emotional relationships refer to those that involve two people who are emotionally close and develop a deep and lasting bond. Most relationships include at least some level of deep emotional involvement. Deep emotional relationships include: romantic relationships, parents/child relationships, friends, extended families, and life partner relationships. The most common emotional feelings are: sadness, fear, excitement, love, jealousy, pain, anxiety, stress, and intimacy. This list is not inclusive and is further classified according to its intensity.

As the above descriptions reveal, there are many different types of relationships, each with their own characteristics and effects on the people involved. However, it is important to remember that no type of relationship can describe relationships perfectly. A good analogy of this is comparing a soccer team to a band or orchestra. One cannot say that a band has a certain quality that a football team has. It is an exaggeration to say that a football team has more talent than a soccer team.

In general, however, people use the disambiguation process when they feel that their romantic or intimate relationships are no longer working. Often, after enduring a long-term relationship, a couple realizes that they have nothing in common. There is no longer any spark, mutual respect, or sexual attraction. The couple may decide to separate and one or both of them might seek new romance, while the other continues with the old.