Pullman and the Railroad Rebellion - A Chicago Stories Documentary

Railroad titan George Pullman’s name was once synonymous with luxury. His sleeping cars changed how some Americans rode the rails. But when his success didn’t trickle down to the people who built, operated, and staffed his cars, a rebellion ensued. While the first major strike ultimately failed, a group of Black workers later found success through organizing, paving the way for a Black middle class and a civil rights movement that forever changed the course of American history.
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Dive deeper into the story: www.wttw.com/pullman
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Watch more amazing Chicago Stories: www.wttw.com/chicagostories
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#ChicagoStoriesWTTW

[@brynhyacinth3147]

When I was 4 or 5 my mother took me and my sister from San Francisco to Chicago on what must have been a Pullman sleeping car. It was 1967 or 68. I have a vivid memory of the elderly man in his uniform who served us breakfast. No one, had up to that time in my life, had shown such a loving, kind interest in us lonely, scruffy children. He was like an angel. I find this intensely moving, now I know more about the life he must have led up to then.

[@nwadi6408]

Bravo, Black men and Black women. Bravo! Organized labor and civil rights. 🙌🏾

[@DntUTlkAbtAntHenny]

😮‍💨👏Yes and many were murdered because of it, but that Did NOT STOP them! 👉IF only they could see how much the RAILROAD has changed... 🫡Where We Are Now...The Wonderful History told by men & women who tell it like it *"t-i-s"* 👋

[@ChefCT63]

My father, uncles grandfather and great grandfather were Pullman Porters. There were many books and documentaries produced on this period of time.

[@valentinius62]

Didn't know about the Pullman maids. Interesting.

[@cocoaorange1]

Nor did I.

[@user-ti3vy4mf6p]

Always hearing about unemployment and poverty but never about the hard workers. Never about the people who service the nation in the trenches out here They are the ones struggling with high rent. trying to hold jobs and keep their heads above water ❤

[@DivineBeauty04]

My great grandad was a Pullman Porter. Very proud of that fact!

[@MPam1619]

This is an outstanding documentary; yet another subject never covered in school text books. This is why i love youtube.

[@jeffclark5268]

Can’t have it in a school text. They’re Black and that might make some white lady uncomfortable. /S

[@kinte1870]

Do you know how big textbooks would have to be to contain everything? 😂😂 Reading writing arithmetic. That's what school is for. You can read all the history you want in archives.

[@abbynormal3068]

@@kinte1870Do you know what year you’re in? You can Google anything with a Small device we call a phone, that fits right in the palm of your hand. Even if the world were not available to you in this handy phone size, there’s (obviously) nothing that can be done about those who don’t care to learn; who probably even refuse to educate themselves. In this day and age, that’s tragic.

[@billwilson5341]

@@kinte1870 "Reading writing arithmetic. That's what school is for." < Educators aren't even teaching reading, writing and arithmetic. Many young people are moving from one grade to another with out knowing anything about reading, writing and arithmetic. And actually History IS a subject that should be taught in schools.

[@afrogirl757]

@billwilson5341 History and Civics need to be taught. Back in the day (I'm 66yo) my first history class was in 2nd grade. Grew up in Chicago and we learned Chicago history, civics and community. From there on I fell in love with history.

[@highlyfavored9749]

I’m glad to see this documentary. My grandfather was born in 1907. He was a Pullman.

[@cruisepaige]

A Philip Randolph is the granddaddy of the CivilRights movement.

[@lealmelisa]

I am so moved by these heroes that didn't give up on their request for dignity and fairness. I am a latina struggling in Chicago, but i can't complain, it feels like we live in luxury compared to what some people went through in the past. I am so proud of the porters, they really help the entire african american socierty to achieve a better life.

[@marsthatdamnrebel]

I don't see "a better life" happening for most of the Black communities in Chicago or elsewhere in the US. It's still about race, class, and privilege.

[@crazy8sdrums]

@@marsthatdamnrebel In 1860, 10 Democrat states blocked Abraham Lincoln from the election ballots.

[@billwilson5341]

I don't see "a better life" happening for most people of any color in Chicago or elsewhere. This is by design.

[@glennsmith1040]

Wow. A Canadian labour activist here. This story is incredibly important. Wonderful, important history. Thank you!

[@johnnyraider]

HOW'S THE N D P? MR LABOUR ACTIIVIST. SAY HI TO YER RAG HEAD NDP LEADER. GOOMBA.😊😊😊😊😊

[@nahkohese555]

When I was 6, my family traveled cross country to the 1962 Seattle World's Fair. We drove out there, but due to unforeseen circumstances, we were forced to take the train home. It was a Pullman sleeping car. Now, as a credit to my parents, I didn't see the Porters as any different than us because of their skin color. What I did see were their crisp, clean uniforms, their well shined shoes, and their warm, genuine smiles. I suppose what impressed me the most was the way that they made a middle class kid from the Midwest like me feel like I was visiting royalty. When I got back to school in the fall and wrote my obligatory "What I did on my Summer Vacation" essay, being served a 4-course dinner on the train by the Pullman Porters was right behind having lunch at the top of the Space Needle and having a 4th of July snowball fight on top of Mt Ranier.

[@NathanThePrezPretlow]

Thank you for sharing this important history of our black people.

[@billwilson5341]

People of all colors were spoken about in this video.

[@deloreswillis9224]

Yessssssssss

[@citizen_morgan7444]

... what a WONDERFUL DOCUMENTARY about part of our NATION'S HISTORY.

[@yaya_mama3mitchell976]

I live for a good documentary ❤😊

[@user-xe6im2vv7o]

Love docs like this, cant forget our history and how fragile freedom and rights can be as to not let them be so easily taken away from us when it was so hard to get initially

[@cashmoney2898]

Black peoples are the only ones denied, freedom, in this country. yet a lot of us do take it for granted.

[@reneedennis2011]

I agree.

[@SubvertTheState]

I'm afraid, just like in 'A Brave New World', people just care less about freedom than pleasure, comfort and being entertained. Keeping freedom requires voluntary adoption of difficulty, a loss of income perhaps, but it's what is required to keep one's dignity and control of one's destiny.

[@valnpaulvanorden]

amen!

[@valnpaulvanorden]

" I my soul to the company store ". tennessee ernie ford song.

[@BpGregorynazianzuselder]

Need more Randolph's today. Many unrecognized great leaders. Thank you for this great educational video..

[@jameshenry9402]

I'm proud of all the Men that came before me whom made it possible to enjoy the benefits of today.

[@TerlinguaTalkeetna]

You have my respect , we all should come to this understanding at some point in our lives.

[@billwilson5341]

Females are a part of history as well.

[@sarahhearn-vonfoerster7401]

...no women?

[@sarahhearn-vonfoerster7401]

​@@billwilson5341 Thank you. I do hope the females in your life appreciate their good fortune!

[@MarkettaWalker]

This informative documentary tells a lot of the real stories behind Labor Day and why we celebrate this day in September. It highlighted some of the highs and lows of bring a black Pullman.

[@stevewheeler6118]

I really enjoyed this. I ignored labor history and African-American history for way too long.

[@everettseay8505]

I'm also enjoying this new age of Enlightenment at 72! I'm so Excited! 👍☮️

[@WarrenHolly]

I must have been either lucky or the stories are not true and I have done some traveling. My public school education was second to none. Both my elementary and junior high/ middle had libraries inhouse. They taught the black experience. I started advance mathematics in the 7th grade. Idk maybe it was some kind of experiment.

[@user-nu4rq3lx5z]

My Ancestors were among That Number. ❤🖤💚

[@rasheed7934]

I wouldn't think you ignored it if you are a person loves learning, it just may have not been presented to you in the past.

[@ShaneM420]

​@@WarrenHolly....please go away

[@SNICKERSBARBROWNable]

The still-standing Pullman Hotel, (located at SE corner of present-day intersection of East 111th Street & South Cottage Grove Avenue) always fascinated me as a child growing-up on Chicago's far Southeast Side-I learned about history of the Pullman Company town, as well as modern (1890 - 1960) U.S. suburbanization trends - this was an outstanding video about so much of United States labor history from the1860s through the 1950s, & beyond.

[@flygirlfly]

It was actually named Hotel Florence. It is now museum.

[@renitamosley4621]

Just learned so much more about the area I grew up!

[@cashmoney2898]

they made a movie about this called 10,000 Black Men, name George Pullman porter’s Excellent movie.

[@BIGBLOCK5022006]

And a movie called "10,000 Black Men Named George," which has Andre Braugher in it.

[@richardkeilig4062]

A sad but worthwhile part of American history.

[@OneAdam12Adam]

We have become complacent and lazy. This history shows how labor unions gave us our great standard of living which we just allowed to disappear again by being lazy and thinking that the owner class would continue to obey the laws put into place after long struggles.

[@mscoyote50]

Reagan started the destruction of labor unions and the Republicans have continued his vendetta and made it more difficult to organize to this day. "Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will. If there is no struggle there is no progress." Frederick Douglas, 1857.

[@jthomasmack]

💯💯💯

[@rasempress9724]

@@mscoyote50 was just about to post that Reagan was the one who started the ‘busting’ of unions with the Air Traffic Controllers’ PATCO Union ..it was decertified…irony is that he had welcomed PATCO’s endorsement during his campaign

[@billwilson5341]

The stupid in this thread is mind numbing.

[@Nanbebe7]

Being from 1960s south side of Chicago I know how important this story is to my community. We literally stood in the Porters shoulders! Thank you! 🙏🏽❤️

[@bunk95]

Get your head in the game. Were in the last ditch [v] hispanics.

[@billwilson5341]

@@bunk95 WTF does that mean"?

[@rasempress9724]

‘Many passengers called porters “boy” or “George,” after George Pullman, regardless of their real names. This was an uncomfortable throwback to slavery, when slaves were named after their owners. Pullman porters often worked 400 hours a month, with little time off.’

[@baberRuth]

Upon seeing the Union didn't take Pullman Porters onboard. I recall reading that Northern Unions were as racist as the South was.

[@jacquelynemcelweebrown4367]

400 hours per month is abt 100 per week and 14.5 hours per day +/-.

[@baberRuth]

@@jacquelynemcelweebrown4367 yup. And not allowed in the Union. Blacks were treated badly. Even Vets of War. "Sir, Mr fire Chief. I just got back from serving in WWll, Korea. I'd like to be a fireman.". "we don't hire your kind."

[@valnpaulvanorden]

wow! i worked in haiti 1988-89. i was a secretary to a hospital, probably the best hospital in the coyntry. im from Detroit suburb of Lathrup Village, MI. my parents never ever said the "n" word, it was not allowed in ou4 house. so i was shocked when a doctor said "get me a boy" at the hospital in Haiti, and they were referring to a man over 30 woth kids. i coyld not comprehend. we did have a black maid, Tillie, who rode the bus back and forth, from Detroit to our house tl dust and vacuum ( we had dishwasher and washing machin & dryer). Tillie was afraid to dust dads duck- hunting guns in a rack on the wall in our rec. room where we used to watch t.v. she rarely saw us kismds, left our place by 3 pm. i remember 1967 Detroit riots, the sky was orange at day and night. my dad had the week off work at generL motors downtown Detroit. we still have a long way to go, us whites, in affirming, accepting, and living in peace with usa black people. its kind of interesting to me that hair relaxers for black people are considered cancer-causing nowadays, and there sre lawsuits out for that. so many black people who are leaders and rlemodels in society even in 2023 adopt caucasian feature surgery or wear wigs of caucasian type gently waving hair. im not perfect, im trying to change. i msrried a man who is handicapped and white supremist to the core. we are all learning how to cope and get along. the BLM movement, the Ferguson, Missouri lootings a couple years ago under obama administration, they bear witness to our disconnect.

[@valnpaulvanorden]

​@@jacquelynemcelweebrown4367yes.

[@patriciapiper6294]

At 73, I'm able to be educated about these histories in such a convenient way. The facts are more honest with the pictures to support them. I'm finally becoming aware of all the mini facts that affected us all!!! The man who tells us the story is a great speaker. I love this example of history telling.❤❤❤❤

[@amycollins8832]

Never before has a documentary moved me to tears. 2024, The struggle goes on, as there is someone or an entire class waiting to take these hard earned victories away one by one if we let them.

[@billwilson5341]

Seems everyone wants to be a victim.

[@muniondalenewyurk6777]

@@billwilson5341seems like you hate hearing the TRUTH about Amerikkkan HIStory! 🤬

[@raymartin3527]

This was an excellent documentary.

[@WayCoolJr27]

This is a proganda piece.

[@mikeoveli1028]

​@@WayCoolJr27 Propaganda for who? I don't think you understand propaganda. My assumption is you are on the conservative side of politics. I am curious why you consider this propaganda?

[@user-ti3vy4mf6p]

A Philip Randolph......proof of hard working and excellent black people, even then. History books make room!!!

[@7690145]

A.P.Randolph was also a leader before Martin Luther King.

[@7690145]

Bayard Rustin worked with A. P. Randolph & wrote speeches for Martin Luther King! Rustin was gay, at a time when that was considered totally unacceptable. He was blackmailed by FBI, so Rustin had to keep invisible.

[@user-ti3vy4mf6p]

A Philip Randolph.......The Pullman Porters ..Skilled , Viable. Workforce Before Dr King. .. What happened after Dr King!?????! 13% of the population did sooooooo much for this country And yet .. .

[@Qboro66]

They'll only ban the books in Florida...

[@WarrenHolly]

They are banning those kinds of books.😏

[@user-nu4rq3lx5z]

At least one of my Grandfarhers and Ron Dellums Uncle, C.L. Dellums, were among that number ❤🧡🖤💚

[@caroleminke6116]

I grew up with the Pullman heirs in Vermont where they had a large estate near Robert Todd Lincoln’s Hildene in Manchester. The Lincoln Family & the Pullman Family were very close at the time of the assassination… Lincoln was planning to summer there in 1865 & an extra king bed was made for him. It was discovered over a 100 years later in an old inn there. The Pullman family fought over the last of their property but Edie was always generous with her charitable donations to my humane society. I remember her coming up to me with a $100 bill & wishing me well

[@lynnhubbard844]

Rat Pullman went to boarding school and college with my father in law Otis L. Hubbard

[@mackpines]

I love learning about Chicago history even though I've never been there. These docs are so fascinating. Keep it up.

[@magicphred]

Me too! It's just so sad these have to presented with such an obvious political bias toward socialism

[@afrogirl757]

You should visit - I grew up only a short distance from there. My dad would take us there and talk about Pullman and unions. My grandpa and family friend had been Porters and Bartenders in the 30s thru 60s. I like Pullmans initial plan. The idea of pampering middle class riders while providing steady job opportunnities to new Euro immigrants and Black migrants. Pullmans model of creating worker cities was a part of what had been happening in the UK since the start of the industrial age. But of course profit margins and the stockholders big dividends are priority.

[@cherylcampbell9369]

same! and i live in Oregon, with no family history in Chicago. There is so much important history re race relations, industry, etc. involved

[@beatriceward8628]

I grow up in Chicago and I didn't know this. Thank you and keep up the good work 👍🏽

[@mikeoveli1028]

​@@magicphred Dude you are mentally ill if you think this is a socialistic potential of Pullman Just to help me uninstall, what looks like socialism in this presentation?.

[@ramonasims]

I had an uncle who worked as a Pullman Porter. Sharp dresser in deed.

[@iwouldliketoorderanumber1b79]

Chicago played a major role in American history even the birthplace of the skyscraper. Love the vid.

[@ShaneM420]

Didn't know that about the skyscraper. I thought NY created the first one. Thanks for the information.

[@wolfman3295]

I have heard of the Pullman railroad cars and how very nice they were but this paints a very different picture of how terribly the Porters were treated. I am so glad that, although it took many years, they finally got recognized and won their rights. But it's such a shame that Mr. Pullman lived in total luxury while he and his company treated the Porters so terribly. And while we do have Labor Day it has really been exploited to just giving workers time and a half at best. I was forced to be in a union many years ago while working at a major supermarket chain for minimum wage. And when I had to attend when a union superintendent visited our store I always said "well I see that your knees are dirty again" because that union ALWAYS caved into the demands of the corporation. And by the way I am white but have a lot of Native American blood in me.

[@valnpaulvanorden]

i hear u wolfnan.

[@ronaldzent6321]

I also had an experience like what happened to Wolfman, in early 1975, I started working at local Vons market, bagging groceries, retrieving carts. Think the position was called "Boxboy" now, it's courtesy clerk. I was asked ( or, actually "told") I would have to pay $100 to join a union ( Retail clerks 770) in Los Angeles CA. I was part time working another PT job, making about $2.50 an hour, I Quit the market job, and stayed with the other one, a small rehab hospital working in a kitchen as a dishwasher and tray setter, started in May of '74@$2.65 per hr, ended up with FT benefits and Kaiser Health benefits. Left in July of '79, was making about $6.10 per hr with full benefits, death in the family, moved to Long Beach, still there

[@bunk95]

The black guys who werent faking debts/ownership/pay before?

[@wolfman3295]

@@bunk95 ??

[@sfl6307]

This was definitely a good documentary and very educational, we must never forget those who made positive change.

[@robertgreen9150]

I traveled in 1953 at 6 and never saw anything but gracious helpful kind black people and they treated me well and not just because I was a child!

[@mikeoveli1028]

Why would you even think anything else? Who taught you to be afraid?

[@Assata_Shakur]

If only my people had the same memories of this era. We have always treated your people well, so no surprise there. You say this as to say there was the opposite happening at the time. What’s sick is that even though Pullman was oppressing the YT worker’s, they still felt that their million dollar worth of whiteness endowed them with the right to treat the Black Porter’s the exact same way, keeping them out of the Union. Sickness.🙄

[@SJJewel-fl2jl]

Nearly all the men on my family worked on the railroad out of blue island Illinois. I have always,loved trains and often went to visit my aunt in Lansing when I was "a big girl" I recall being in the dining car and this nice man with candy and tiny toys in,his pocket brought me lunch. Everything was white like his uniform and he spoke to me like I was grown-up(except for the treats".it was thrilling maybe I was 6 or 7. When I became 12 I was allowed to take my 11 yr. Old sister on the south shore to Chicago from south bend Indiana. I now live in a little town in Tennessee and I go to sleep and wake up to our train whistle. Little did I know all that was going on behind the scenes growing up..but those porters were like heroes to me for good reason. Thankyou for this background. I would love to see something about the south shore.

[@billwilson5341]

Black folks of yesteryear are certainly far superior to many of the people today. It's sad.

[@sarahhearn-vonfoerster7401]

Me, too. Still travel only by train long distance, but I do miss the great Porters of my childhood!

[@bubbagames6196]

This is one of the best American stories told. Thank you for providing such clear facts and history that all Americans can benefit.

[@rabaohong9492]

I’ve lived in Chicago most of my life. Of course I’ve been in the Pullman area many times. Our southside residents are the most awesome in the country❤️❤️ But it was always a difficult life for them.

[@dhobby7771]

They were giants of U. S. history. It is so important that their contributions be told. ATB from sunny Cancun.

[@jkardez4794]

Nothing seems to have changed in many places in America even today with oligarchs literally awash in wealth while the ordinary citizens struggling to make ends meet .

[@mikeoveli1028]

They say that the difference in rich and poor today is greater than during the Robber baron era.

[@jesusislukeskywalker4294]

@@mikeoveli1028it’s criminal, if only everyone knew how badly we are all being ripped off . with all the technical advancements we should all by now be living in heaven on earth..

[@mikeoveli1028]

@@jesusislukeskywalker4294 Very true. Those on top hoarding of the wealth keeps half of the country in artificial poverty.

[@jesusislukeskywalker4294]

@@mikeoveli1028 we need more brothers if we’re to make it ☝️ Australia 😎 kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5CneaqmatuMeKssi=w6HOeEp9Irvu3gXK

[@jesusislukeskywalker4294]

@@mikeoveli1028 we need more brothers if we’re to make it ☝️ Australia 😎 kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5CneaqmatuMeKssi=w6HOeEp9Irvu3gXK

[@pattyolson3842]

You give such an wide perspective on Chicago History. It is not only informative, but pulls me in. I enjoy learning about Chicago History. Great job.

[@rb-pk8ds]

I had never heard most of this ... such a great American story full of amazing people :-) thanks for putting this out here!

[@laurarush]

interesting.. I just picked up a book last week called 'The Pullman Blues ' and oral history of the African American railroad attendant by David D. Perata ✔️ very consistent

[@donnaalexander4519]

6:10 am Tennessee. Amazing documentary. Bravo. I'm a 3 generation railroad child

[@Paul-lm9fn]

Union- Proud. thank you

[@anitawilson1284]

Thank you for this historical documentary. It is well- researched, written, narrated, and edited; it is inspiring, entertaining and uplifting.

[@sky.the.infinite]

I was just researching this event this summer! Grateful to see a documentary about it 🙂

[@billstewart5421]

Great program!!!! Thank you.

[@hoss-lk4bg]

thank you for this great doc

[@ShaneM420]

AWESOME! hearing the narrator talk about how the Black workers used to give the kids candy, then their parents would give the Black workers a bigger tip reminds me of that scene from The Color Pueple. When Celie threw the candy off the train for the Black children running beside it. It must've really been a sight to see, and a job of prestige - Black People all dressed up riding on a train. But where are pullmans children's children now? They the ones that need to pay into the reparations fund. I'm sure his family is still living high off the hog in chicago. Off of wealth they obtained from Black People. They needta pay MONEY to the descendants of every worker on any one of those trains FOR LIFE.

[@mscoyote50]

And how about the robber barons of today, the Walmart heirs, the Elon Musks, the Jeff Besos, etc. paying everyone a decent wage and benefits?

[@suziecreamcheese211]

You are owed nothing. People who weren’t even born then could in no way control what happened. It’s like they say. No one alive today owned a slave and no one has been a slave or ever picked an ounce of cotton.

[@m.c.robinson5358]

Awesome doc! I'd watch a movie about this. So next Feb remember there is more to that month than MLK

[@adlenaijomah3646]

Of Course, there is much more to African Amer History than MLK. I taught My children & Students about Harriet Tubman, King Mansa Musa, Sundiata Keita, Pharaoh Thutmoses, Amenhotep, Queen Hatshepsut, Queen Amenarina & African Empires before we came to America

[@donaldblair1982]

Very well done! Kudos! It provides another insight to Chicago and its effects on American politics and social composition. Nicely done!

[@mimusic1853]

A documentary I’m glad to have stumbled upon.

[@MimiCoco-gt7zo]

My great grandfather was a Pullman porter in Texas in the early 1900s

[@Art4ArtsSakeVideo]

Very well done, bravo and brava to the filmmakers. Tells a story everyone should hear, especially those deluded into thinking a "right-to-work" state has any interest in the workers' well-being. In those states, it's all about the right of well-heeled businesses to strike a deal on the back of its workforce.

[@kidmohair8151]

although much has been accomplished, the vigilance to protect the hard fought-for gains of our brothers and sisters and kin of the past, must be maintained. for as we can see in the US, and around the world today, there are those who would take away those gains, and regress to the supposed past greatness, that never existed, except for the rich and well connected.

[@burnesray777]

My grandfather always kept a picture of this man, A Phillip Randolf, in his home. I never knew why until now. Randolf is truly unsung in American 20th century history. A movie should be made.

[@reneedennis2011]

Thank you for this documentary.

[@jamesmiller4239]

Well done-excellent

[@senrab99]

Its funny that giving a person a fair shake equates to such a negative. A fair day's pay is never a call to supersede or degrade anyone. I enjoy hearing history...ALL of it. No one can ever live on tips alone.

[@farmerbill6855]

I'd bet you've never waited tables.

[@WarrenHolly]

You have to do a deep dive into "capitalism".🙏🏾 That's where this attitude comes from. If they could have you work for free they would.

[@lyndawilliams4570]

Agreed

[@senrab99]

@farmerbill6855 I have decades of restaurant experience

[@senrab99]

It's a good place to start, but only pays well when you own it.

[@motherlesschild102]

An interesting side note concerns the grave of George Pullman. Because there was so much fear that Pullman's body would be dug up and desecrated, his grave was turned into something impervious to anything but a hit (or near miss) from thermonuclear weapons. Layers of concrete and welded together steel rails-among other things. This did not (rumor has it) stop people from urinating on the grave.

[@ShaneM420]

..... Ida got my Man to go piss on his grave too! The way he did his Black employees. They were little more than slaves to him. Thanks for that bit of history about that racist pt belly pullman.

[@predictivestupidity]

Interesting documentary. It is laughable to say Pullman was a self-made man, though. In reality, he was a shrewd, unscrupulous exploiter of human capital who achieved financial success off the backs of many thousands of workers. Pullman took full advantage of weak labor laws, the dire straights of a recently enslaved population, government largesse towards gilded age robber barons, and transportation infrastructure that existed thanks to Uncle Sam.

[@Heyu7her3]

That's what "self-made" means. It's an ironic term.

[@predictivestupidity]

@@Heyu7her3 Nope.

[@farmerbill6855]

Your screen name is quite apt. Comprehension is big. He made his money raising buildings out of the mud in Chicago. Then decided to build nice railcars where there were none. So yea, self made is am apt description. He hired the labor that was available. The porters could have easily been white. His dealings with labor was consistent, you certainly shouldn't try to inject racism where isn't any. Surely there was between the passengers and the Porters but not really the company as he was the largest employer of black men in the nation.

[@WillyMcCoy50]

I love it when liberal viewers with radical leftist views go over their heads within the course of a paragraph. Pullman paid for the land, bought the machinery, had the idea, paid the taxes, paid the energy bills to produce the coaches .... oh yeah and he had the idea that employed thousands. Don't forget he had the fiduciary responsibility to earn a profit for the investors. Also improved the lives of the sharecroppers by giving them an opportunity to become upwardly mobile. Or maybe you all think the blacks that came northwards should've remained on the plantation.

[@politehammer9714]

​@farmerbill6855 Stop! The feces coming out of your mouth is overwhelming!😳😫

[@doddjohnson7971]

My great grandfather Ernest Porter was a Pullman Porter now his great grandson is a locomotive engineer true black history

[@dr.barrycohn5461]

Pullman was a real motherf'ker the way he was treating his employees.

[@henryhill1876]

I believe so!!!

[@johnschuh8616]

All of this came as passenger trains were ceasing to be an important means of transportation nationally. However there is no gainsaying the stature of Randolph. Surprising that there is not discussion here about the way that he strongarmed FDR to open war industrial jobs to blacks. The effect was to create a growing black middle class between 1940 and 1960 that helped power the civil rights movement.

[@veldawells2839]

Absolutely loved this. Stories of Black American's immense struggle to survive and beat the political and captalist system make me feel proud of these people. Such determination, prowess, skill and fight are amazing! Fantastic documentary that makes one more aware of black people's struggles in history, and to this day (2024) still continue, but what a awesome landmark of change within the politics of the workforce.

[@kevinpoole4323]

For Decades i have Heard of these Great Men and Women.

[@gregorygilmore3190]

A treasure of my youth trip to Florida from boston on Pullman

[@mow4ncry]

That's exactly the reason the federal government shutdown Pullman because of the way they treated the workers at the plants .

[@Davidsavage8008]

This documentary sure closed a door for me. Thanks for the post. I always wanted more about the origin of pullman Wa. Right next to Moscow Id. I serviced the North west and enjoyed the history.

[@Miapetdragon69]

I miss Chicago! I was raised on the south side of Chicago.... My parents house was built in the 1800s 1836 I believe.... I lived within walking distance of the stockyards.... And I remember the entire stockyard being gone except for the entrance with the cow head on it I don't know if it's still there I have not been home since my father passed away well no I was home in 2004 just before my mom passed away... It was amazing childhood I had! The only sad thing is is I mixed and my grandma could never come and visit me because she was dark skin or what they would call high yellow African American... The neighborhood I grew up in was extremely prejudiced! Go to church on Sunday and then try to kill someone on Monday because their skin color... That is the simple reason why I moved away so I could raise my children in a place where color doesn't matter... But I do miss Chicago very much!

[@aislinnkeilah7361]

Great documentary of significant historical value. Note the focus on family integrity.

[@mnoliberal7335]

The Union lost out on the participation by black workers in the strike when unity was needed. I suppose there were special risks for black workers in joining the union, too.

[@Gospel1206]

My struggle with humans is we all want to be treated properly but remain unbothered by the mistreatment of others. It's sad how many of us are willing to sacrifice another for our own comfort and well being. They understood the pain of suffering and it's affect on the family/community yet was willing to agree to disregard the pain of blacks for there own relief.

[@kelvintorrence5994]

man those 2 brothers wheren powerful,i hope and pray he made it,they are others i never herd of

[@user-pe4fv9yt8l]

Thank you for sharing this amazing documentary.🙏🏿🙌🏿👍🏿💪🏿✊🏿

[@bethbartlett5692]

Communication and the Higher Mind is the 🔑 to the People having Freedom.

[@Howoldareweanywayyipes]

On my way into the Army I had a Pullman Booth and slept in the night time upper bed. I slept very well... 1966-July.

[@shoppingandfun]

My Granddaddy wanted to be a Pullman Porter, but he headed to Harlem instead. I think he regretted not becoming a Pullman Porter.

[@billwilson5341]

Do you know why he made the decision that he did?

[@sheilasmith8052]

Thank you for this history lesson.

[@anitawilson1284]

Thank you for this historical documentary. It inspires hope and revives my commitment to maintain the victories and continue the work, stay strong in "the struggle." P.S. This is my second time watching.

[@deewilson3239]

Thank you!

[@user-ru2mw1rg8s]

Pullman had multiple advantages. He didn't have to compete with the ingenuity and work ethic of women, indigenous people's, and African Americans. He also had the advantage of manipulative power over those groups to coerce them into restrictive work arrangements. It's easier to build the tallest building when you're the only person allowed to own a hammer.

[@barbaraanneneale3674]

This is an astonishingly good documentary. I continue to be impressed by your fine videos.

[@lazycrockett6605]

Okay, Im only 5 minutes in but one would think that a documentary would detail how Pullman raise up building, while people were still in them, which seems like an architectural achievement.

[@kathleenmooring7762]

This is a great eye opening documentary it reminds me of life ups and down forward and back again and the plight we still face today without resolutions in many cases for respect righteous and dignity moving into a better understanding we're creating by God asking that we love one another for the betterment of humanity 🙏🏾❤

[@ciaranelson5185]

This was great!!❤ learned a ton😊

[@stephanebelizaire3627]

Bravo and Cheers for Mr G. Pullman !

[@mikeoveli1028]

So you like to exploit the poor and needy? Maybe you can become a special ed teacher so you can feel powerful.

[@ericcsudduth5166]

I learn something new every day!!

[@user-pc2dp5yc6p]

Excellent & thanks

[@jonrutherig6300]

These stories need to be taught in schools to show the facts in America history...this is stories of men and women and what they really went through

[@billwilson5341]

Reading, writing and arithmetic is not even being taught!

[@Bonserak23]

Having one day off a year when most people have to work anyway or be homeless isn't respect its slavery.

[@PaulStatz-xl3em]

Pullman sounds like Hershey at the start when the economy was good but turned into a coal company town when his personal wealh comes into play

[@gloriaturner9218]

Thankyou for this I enjoy this

[@user-ti3vy4mf6p]

Randolph refused the ✔️✅✅. Unlike folks today

[@kincamell]

Heavy

[@WhatsUpWithSheila]

Excellent documentary... Thank you❤

[@user-pn6jl7wl9d]

@willyMcCoy50 How long did you work for the railroad?

[@MaryjaneLove]

. &&& its sad how Pullman was getting over on his tenants and employees but nevertheless this was a great documentary . .❤️💯

[@AugustusTitus]

This is a great video.