Millions of workers and the public in general supported the Teamsters during the 15-day strike. Women and people of color are concentrated in these part time jobs, and these are the workers who can be drawn to the ranks of the union movement. Real or perceived, there is sentiment among workers of color, particular the youth, that unions only represent white men. Because of this perception, and the social injustices that keep workers divided, it is more important than ever that unions combat racism and other forms of inequality. At the same time that politicians have waged a frontal assault on social programs from welfare to school funding, they have also campaigned against affirmative action and the rights of women and immigrants.
Racism only benefits the bosses.
It has served to help them grow wealthier at everyone else s expense, to the point that today, the gap between rich and poor in the U.S. is the highest of any industrialized country. Meanwhile racism has been used as a weapon to keep workers divided and unable to fight back to stop the attacks on our living standards. The rich have gotten tax breaks. Workers have gotten the shaft. Racism does not benefit any working class and poor communities.