February Flash: A Message From National VP Bob Butler

Posted February 01, 2010

Freedom is never given; it is always won.

                                                       – A. Phillip Randolph 

Dear AFTRA Member:

February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate the contributions black Americans have made over the centuries to make this country great.

In 1926, Historian Carter G. Woodson established the second week of February to celebrate Black History, choosing this month because it was the birth month of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. In 1976, the week was extended to the entire month of February. While we honor the contributions made by Douglass, Booker T. Washington and others, we must also acknowledge organized labor’s contributions to the progress of black Americans, such as raising their standard of living. 

Click here to read to more about Black History Month and the latest U.S. Census information on the American black population.

In 1925, A. Phillip Randolph was chosen to lead 500 black employees of the Pullman Company when they organized as the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. It took them 12 long years to secure their first contract, but they were successful and in the end, they got one.

Fast forward to 1987: the hit AFTRA-covered television series "A Different World" depicted life at Hillman College, a fictional version of America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The ground-breaking show addressed a range of important topics affecting the black community, including race and class relations and HIV/AIDS. Its stars included AFTRA members Gary Dourdan, Jada Pinkett Smith, Dawnn Lewis, Sinbad, Glynn Turman and, my favorite, Jasmine "Whitley" Guy. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, college enrollment at HBCUs spiked while the show aired from 1987 to 1993, as did college enrollment for all black American students.

“A Different World” is just one of the many AFTRA-covered primetime TV programs that launched the careers of many black American performers and shaped our understanding of the black experience. Other popular AFTRA-covered shows include “The Cosby Show,” “Good Times,” “Benson,” “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” “Diff’rent Strokes,” “Gimme A Break” and “The Steve Harvey Show,” among many, many others.

Our membership also includes a pantheon of award-winning black broadcast journalists across the nation, such as my colleague in San Francisco and dear friend, celebrated broadcast pioneer Belva Davis. I am proud to count among our ranks the many black recording artists who span all genres of music, from hip hop and R&B to jazz to pop to classical and country. I salute AFTRA member Beyoncé Knowles on her record-setting recognition at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday evening: six Grammys, the most by any single female performer in one year.

And I am proud that the AFTRA Foundation is honoring two wonderfully talented black AFTRA members with its 2010 AMEE Awards: the legendary “Soul Man” R&B artist Sam Moore, and “Good Morning America’s” Robin Roberts.

Moore, along with will.i.am, Martha Reeves and many other AFTRA members, has joined our fight to pass the Performance Rights Act currently making its way through Congress.

AFTRA members have had many successes that can be celebrated during Black History Month. Now more than ever, television entertainment shows reflect the diversity of the American scene. But there are still challenges, especially in diversifying the radio and television news workforce. Your AFTRA National Board understands just how important this is and we are ready for the task. As 2010 unfolds, AFTRA members and staff are again preparing for the spectrum of diversity journalist conventions and conferences this summer, including NABJ, AAJA, NLGJA and NAHJ. AFTRA members and staff are working together to make improvements for persons of color working in our industries.
Furthermore, at the 2009 National Convention in Chicago, delegates elected a diverse leadership team of national officers. Delegates also unanimously passed a resolution to explore how we could increase work opportunities for women over 40, with special emphasis on older women of color.

The struggle is not over, but I am pleased to report that AFTRA is moving forward to challenge bias where it exists, and create more work opportunities for all of our members.

In solidarity,

Bob Butler
AFTRA National Vice President

AFTRA Partners