jon on Nostr: “Williams was inspired by the heroism, manliness, and symbolic importance of ...
“Williams was inspired by the heroism, manliness, and symbolic importance of Woodson’s trailblazing efforts, which occurred at a time, as historian Chad Williams noted, when Black achievements and accomplishments in military service—and, later, public service and public safety positions—had become linked to civil rights activism, to struggles for democracy, and “to specific claims for expanded citizenship and broader demands for self-determination.” Woodson’s letter, however, provided a more somber and pragmatic assessment of his trailblazing career and experiences and emphasized the lonesomeness faced by pioneering race men during this era. The letter provided a glimpse into Woodson’s struggles in the department, the tactics he used to survive, the anguish his maltreatment and isolation caused him, and how he saw himself in terms of his role and responsibilities in the larger freedom struggle. Woodson, as he explained to Williams, felt that it was his duty, “as a fellow race man,” to let him know what to expect. He warned that Williams would encounter “quite a lot of jealous and narrow minded men” and advised him “to do your work and do it as near perfect as you can, particularly everything the commanding officers tell you to do, no matter what it might be.” Woodson also explained how he had dealt with day-to-day firehouse racism, ostracism, and corresponding efforts to goad him into anger and conflict and recommended that Williams shouldn’t attempt to force his “friendship on anybody and if there is an argument don’t join them; just say I’m neutral. If they speak of our race before you, in your presence, as niggers, pay no attention—go and do something or take a newspaper and read.” Despite his bleak, honest portrayal of race relations within the department, Woodson closed his letter with a positive note, welcoming Williams into the department and wishing him “much success” and a “pleasant career in the Fire Department.””
— Black Firefighters and the FDNY: The Struggle for Jobs, Justice, and Equity in New York City (Justice, Power, and Politics) by David Goldberg
https://a.co/3lowRV3Published at
2025-02-08 19:35:28Event JSON
{
"id": "2cae8a4de6d436c7c04ab80d71acab646d83e3775f63ff7095500cb5e08ecc7f",
"pubkey": "72d33fdd9766caffa20823758e1d4b945955149e05b9ca5603708c1ca421c284",
"created_at": 1739043328,
"kind": 1,
"tags": [
[
"r",
"https://a.co/3lowRV3"
]
],
"content": "“Williams was inspired by the heroism, manliness, and symbolic importance of Woodson’s trailblazing efforts, which occurred at a time, as historian Chad Williams noted, when Black achievements and accomplishments in military service—and, later, public service and public safety positions—had become linked to civil rights activism, to struggles for democracy, and “to specific claims for expanded citizenship and broader demands for self-determination.” Woodson’s letter, however, provided a more somber and pragmatic assessment of his trailblazing career and experiences and emphasized the lonesomeness faced by pioneering race men during this era. The letter provided a glimpse into Woodson’s struggles in the department, the tactics he used to survive, the anguish his maltreatment and isolation caused him, and how he saw himself in terms of his role and responsibilities in the larger freedom struggle. Woodson, as he explained to Williams, felt that it was his duty, “as a fellow race man,” to let him know what to expect. He warned that Williams would encounter “quite a lot of jealous and narrow minded men” and advised him “to do your work and do it as near perfect as you can, particularly everything the commanding officers tell you to do, no matter what it might be.” Woodson also explained how he had dealt with day-to-day firehouse racism, ostracism, and corresponding efforts to goad him into anger and conflict and recommended that Williams shouldn’t attempt to force his “friendship on anybody and if there is an argument don’t join them; just say I’m neutral. If they speak of our race before you, in your presence, as niggers, pay no attention—go and do something or take a newspaper and read.” Despite his bleak, honest portrayal of race relations within the department, Woodson closed his letter with a positive note, welcoming Williams into the department and wishing him “much success” and a “pleasant career in the Fire Department.””\n\n— Black Firefighters and the FDNY: The Struggle for Jobs, Justice, and Equity in New York City (Justice, Power, and Politics) by David Goldberg\nhttps://a.co/3lowRV3",
"sig": "3de917a284cf4ba3378f1c672d79569b7a3d3fe7c1901aae119cb4d5b1caf2ed4a853435964a367499b48d9b9ca4aa453b53fb7cee509d1f5580054cdb167180"
}
