Black Workers in American Society

Memphis Sanitation Strike Author’s Name Institutional Affiliation Course Code and Name Professor’s Name Date Memphis Sanitation Strike Answer 1 T. O. Jones was a garbage collector. He initiated the Memphis strike that included around 1,300 African American sanitation workers in February 1968. Jones organized the strike after two of his colleagues were crushed by a malfunctioned garbage collecting truck (Sundiata, 2022). Memphis garbage collectors cited that the city had neglected black workers due to the pathetic working conditions and poor pay. The primary objective of Jones was to unionize sanitation workers so that they could have better bargaining power for safety standards at the workplace and better pay. Answer 2 The primary difference about the Memphis strike is that the sanitation workers were very determined to push for positive changes regardless in the workplace and nothing appeared to stop their motivation. In particular, the Memphis strike was one of its kind since it brought forward numerous issues that black people faced in society including poor wages, an unconducive working environment, poverty, discrimination, and racism. Additionally, despite the efforts of the mayor and other leaders to convince black sanitation workers to return to work, they did not obey the orders but instead pushed for reforms. Besides, the Memphis strike attracted the attention of significant politicians and activists, such as Martin Luther King Jr. and church leaders. Answer 3 Re...