The only group of people really who consistently championed interracial labor solidarity within the union movement were these black trade unionists that I write about.

Sociologist Cedric de Leon joins us to discuss his new book, Freedom Train: Black Politics and the Story of Interracial Labor Solidarity from University of California Press. "The Moment of Truth" with Jeff Dorchen follows the interview.

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Guest

Cedric de Leon

Cedric de Leon is Professor of Sociology and Labor Studies at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He has published five books and is finishing a new book under contract at University of California Press on independent Black labor organizations in the United States from 1917 to 1963. He writes on race, labor, and party politics and teaches courses in social theory, political sociology, organizing, and U.S. labor history. From 2018 to 2022, Cedric directed the UMass Amherst Labor Center, the country's premier worker-side graduate program in Labor Studies. He was the first person of color to do so. Prior to becoming an academic, he was an elected leader and staff organizer in the U.S. labor movement.

Interracial Labor Solidarity in the United States / Cedric de Leon

Cedric de Leon