An American Humanist: A Philip Randolph

Yesterday was Martin Luther King Day. But there is another American who was just as important to the civil rights movement, yet most people don’t know who he was. His name was A Philip Randolph and he was a Humanist. ----more---- As a civil rights activist he helped to desegregate the armed forces. As a labor activist he helped organized not just black workers, but Latin American workers, Indians and Mexican Americans. His efforts helped get the Fair Employment Act passed. He was a major organizer behind the March on Washington at which Martin Luther King delivered his “I have a dream” speech. And, he was a signer of The Humanist Manifesto II, When A Philip Randolph spoke, he spoke on behalf of all the disposed and he spoke from the standpoint of Humanism. Calling for unity between all people he said, “Men often hate each other because they fear each other; they fear each other because they do not know each other.” Understanding our common humanity is key if we are to work together to create a fair and just society.