After 5 minutes they were still applauding – now let’s mobilise black workers

By Simon Woolley

I’d never been to Scarborough before. It’s charming and rather beautiful! And it was made even more special by the glorious spring sunshine. Sadly, I wasn’t there to enjoy my surroundings but to participate as guest speaker at the annual TUC Black workers conference last weekend.

Delegates had come from all over the country representing the country’s main unions. I felt as though I was amongst friends. So much so that I confessed that to my utter shame two years ago, given half a chance, I would have sold Barack Obama short; signing on the dotted line a guarantee that he becomes the Vice President of the USA.

My friends acutely understood that even for an activist such as me the legacy of slavery, colonialism, extreme racism, and now the more subtle institutional racism, imposes a mental condition that readily accepts second best or, worse still, one that expects you to be grateful for it.

Obama’s audacity changed all that. In that one magic moment in the early hours of Nov 5th – 4.10am to be precise – we were liberated from our own lack of self-belief. Free to be believe that despite the persisting obstacles caused by racism we can achieve the very highest office. I told the audience that they won’t read about this historic unshackling of mental chains in the Guardian or hear it on the BBC. The liberal elite will only tell Black communities in Britain and beyond, that because of Obama’s achievement we are now living in a post racial world. Well, we are not. But the Obama moment does allow us to be emboldened about what we must achieve.

First, stop. We need to realise just how powerful the Black trade union movement is. Why is it, I asked conference, nobody can tell me how many Black trade Union members there are? Never mind the figures for the whole Union movement, what about those for individual unions? I implored the audience, find out. Demand to know. Why? Not just because you will see just how strong you are, but you’ll be able to demand a great voice with unions and its resources. I’m happy, I told them, to be here with 500 delegates, but think how you would feel if we were 5,000 at conference or 50,000 marching on Downing St.

After a short time into my unscripted presentation I felt tremendous energy from the audience and responded accordingly. “We must plan, we must plot, we must inspire a Black generation to be the best we can be”. I implored, “We have the moral majority for this very special project. Our efforts, our contribution will benefit everyone.”

At that point I told the story of Marcia (name changed to protect the individual’s identity), a 35 year old Black woman who was making the difference I referred to. One morning she walked though the magistrates courts, tapped her code into the door that gave her staff access. Once inside she looked around at some of the photos of distinguished magistrates. A white woman approached her; “madam”, she said politely, but rather condescendingly, “members of the public are not allowed here, you’ll have to…”. Before she could finish Marcia showed her her staff permit. “Oh, ok, that’s fine came the reply”.

After some time Marcia gathered up her notes for the morning ahead. “Court rise”, came the bellowing voice from the Court well as the three magistrates entered the court through the back door. Marcia along with two other sitting magistrates took their place on their elevated bench. The woman who previously was about to usher Marcia out the restricted area respectfully bowed her head to the three magistrates as is the tradition of court clerks. Marcia remained impassive, but inside she was punching the air, “Yes, yes yes!”.

Marcia came through one of Operation Black Vote‘s mentoring schemes and is also a Trade Unionist. I called her to join me on stage. The applause and warmth she received was truly magnificent. It seemed after five minutes they were still applauding.

As I left the Spa auditorium on the Scarborough beach front the sun was still gloriously shining. I allowed myself a few moments of relaxation before setting back for London to think about how we set about mobilising a potential half a million Black Trade union members and the benefits that would bring to us all.