Labor unions have been around for years and can be traced back to the 18th century. For Toni, the slave rebellions is the first true example of unions. Showing the world how powerful a commuunity can be when people come together and fight to change the status quo. Building off of the slave rebellions, Black Amercian workers have always been fighting for better conditions for workers that not only benefit their communities but other people too. Toni supports unions because of what they signify. Being in a union is like being a part of a family, no matter what family always have each other’s back. When people come together and work towards a common goal, they have the ability to make waves and move mountains.
“Unions have been the backbone of the workforce. History says that unions began in the 19th century, but I often like to think and refer to slave rebellions as the first models of unions showing us what it meant to build community and power in numbers.”
“Unions remind us that we are not alone and I’m grateful for the benefits I have due to union organizing. Our fights are not alone and in the words of Fannie Lou Hamer, “No one is free until we are all free.”