A. Philip Randolph

Definition

A. Philip Randolph was a prominent African American labor leader and civil rights activist in the 20th century. He organized the first predominantly African American labor union, the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters.

Analogy

Think of A. Philip Randolph as a coach who not only trains his team (the African American community) to play better but also fights for their right to participate in the game (American society) on equal terms.

Related terms

Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters: This was the first labor union led by African Americans that fought for equal rights and fair wages for Pullman car porters.

March on Washington Movement: An initiative led by A. Philip Randolph during World War II to protest against racial discrimination in defense industries and armed forces.

Civil Rights Movement: The nationwide struggle, particularly during 1950s and 1960s, aimed at ending racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans and securing legal recognition and federal protection of their citizenship rights.