RANDOLPH MAY CALL FOR A NONPARTISAN NATIONAL NEGRO CONVENTION IN '64
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) A. Philip Randolph*, president of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters** and director of the August 28 March on Washington said on November 13, 1963 that "he is thinking of calling a nonpartisan national Negro convention" in 1964.
Speaking at Howard University here in the Nation's Capital, Mr. Randolph added he would not organize a negro political party or endorse candidates for election.
One of the major purposes of the convention will be be "to marshal the political power of Negroes who face an hour of incredible crisis."
JFK+50 NOTE
In the 1920s the term "colored" was widely used. As time passed that was replaced & "negro" became more common. During the late 1960s & 1970s, during the 'Black Power' movement, "black" came into vogue. In the late 1980s, African-American became the most appropriate term as it remains to this day.
*Asa Philip Randolph (1889-1979) was born in Crescent City, Florida & educated at City College of New York. APR organized the 1st successful African-American led labor union & in 1963 led the March on Washington for Jobs & Freedom. He was president of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters 1925-1968.
**Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters was founded on August 25 1925 in New York City & chartered by the American Federation of Labor in 1937. BSCP represented 18,000 passenger railroad workers in Canada, Mexico & the U.S.
SOURCE
"'64 Convention May Be Called For Negroes," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., November 13, 1963, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
