Sidney Christian: Local 804

Teamster Sidney Christian believes that an important aspect of celebrating Black History Month is to broaden our view to include the struggles that blacks have dealt with in other areas of the world. Christian is a member of Local 804 in New York, and has worked for United Parcel Service for 27 years.

Christian pointed to a recent radio program he heard on WBAI radio in New York about Haiti as an example of why it’s important to celebrate Black History Month. In addition to the devastating effects of the recent earthquake there, Haiti has had a long history of turmoil. After hearing about Haiti’s turbulent history, Christian wondered, “If that happened to blacks in America, where would we be?”

Unfortunately, Christian said, too many young Americans don’t know about black history or labor history. This is why Christian believes that it is important for new and upcoming Teamsters to know about history and that there needs to be a “bridge” between older and younger generations.

“Without your roots or knowing where you’re from you’re a lost people,” he said.

One of the more memorable events that Christian remembers from his career as a Teamster is when Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday became a federal holiday. Christian recalled how the older workers back then had not believed it would ever happen, but they were ecstatic when it finally occurred in the 1980s.

“I lived to see it happen,” Christian fondly remembered.

Celebrating Black History Month, Christian said, also means saluting the achievements of blacks in America today. Christian pointed to the recent achievements of American speed skater Shani Davis to prove his point. The Olympic gold medalist is breaking down stereotypes both as a black man in a white-dominated sport and with his achievements for the United States Olympic Team.

“History is constantly being made,” Christian said.