Black Lives Matter

The Century Foundation, Groundwork Collaborative, and Urban Manufacturing Alliance held an event last week to examine the role of trade and manufacturing in racial justice.

The USW local president says a factory job can provide opportunity, but people like him need Washington to do its part, too.

“If nothing else comes out of this, they are starting to at least listen now.”

In many ways, the United Steelworkers member has achieved the American dream. But being Black means Rideout and his family still deal with racism.

Perkins joined the United Steelworkers to help do “right by working class people.”

"You are fooling with the wrong Black woman," Mabin recalls telling one supervisor.

"Everyday is a fight for humanity... you just have to do the right thing," Odume said.

The steelworker from Gary, Ind., reflects on the challenges facing Black workers and his community.