NPR: Today, people board jets or hybrid minivans to travel cross-country. But from the late 19th to mid-20th century, people traveled by train. And that's where they met the legendary Pullman porters.
The Pullman porters were primarily African-American men who collected luggage, served drinks, made beds, polished shoes, tended to the sick, comforted crying babies and even entertained guests. It was viewed as a prestigious job — a far cry from working the fields — but it was also grueling work. Despite being on their feet for hours on end, Pullman porters were required to keep a smile on their face and show pride in their work.
2 comments:
Traveling by overnight train is one of those things I romanticize about the bygone days of our culture. The few (3) times I've actually done it, it has been somewhat less than romantic. Once from Boston to New York I decided to ride in the smoking car, and since then I have never viewed with anything but choked disgust at a silver screen portrayal of the Bogart type smoothly smoking cigarette after cigarette as the darkened scenery rolls by. Then on a trip from Oakland to Seattle, when I sprang for a sleeper car, I was surprised to find the toilet hidden under the side table, right next to where one might lay their head for the night. The work of the Pullman porters, and the thousands of porters who worked the far less luxury lines, was also less than romantic, and brought them face to face every day with the disparity of wealth and privilege that still haunts our society. As the article says, many African Americans would perhaps have envied these positions, but the truth is there is no "good" job in a divided and inherently racist society. Arena Stage chose an interesting and little known topic to engage us in these weeks leading up to the second inauguration of our first Black American president. And on this day when we honor the sacrifice of those who gave their absolute to make that possible, it comes as just another reminder of how far we have come and how far we still have to go.
Historic dramatizations are always very interesting, and Ive always loved blues music. I like that the article focuses mostly on historical facts then on the show itself, mostly because it leads me to believe that the show also has a heavy focus on reality. It was an interesting time period in American History and there are many unrecognized people and jobs like this. And its always cool to learn more about them. Im still amazed the Tuskegee airmen were not recognized until the late 90's. And as Andrew points out its an interesting time to have this show right before the inauguration of Obama, and in DC no less.
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