Written by Sabreen Dawood,
special for afro
Earlier this year, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) announced that its podcast “I AM Story” was nominated for an NAACP Image Award. This podcast was nominated in the Outstanding Limited Series/Short Form category.
The I AM Story, which will be released in April 2023, revolves around the 1968 Memphis Sanitation Strike. Hosted by AFSCME President Lee Saunders, each episode focuses on a person who participated in the historic strike. In this podcast, guests are given the space to express their personal experiences in a way that takes listeners into his 1960s African American worker reality during the civil rights movement.
“The conditions they were in were really terrible. Even in the facilities where they worked, they were often not allowed to shower. They had to go home and spend all day dealing with garbage. “That's the best thing because you'll notice they're there, and sometimes you'll even get maggots on your clothes,” said Ron Walls, AFSCME's Senior Communications Councilor.
I AM Story also incorporates the perspectives of individuals currently working in the sanitation industry, highlighting the similarities these workers find between their experiences today and those of those taking part in sanitation strikes. is shining a light on.
“You just want black men who have been treated so badly from the beginning to have some rights and a raise like everyone else. I say this to say that these are the true civil rights warriors who have our backs. We will stand on their backs,” Walls said.
The 55th NAACP Image Awards will focus on podcasts during the non-televised awards ceremony. Categories not scheduled to air will be certified from March 11 to March 14, and all other categories will air on BET and CBS on Saturday, March 16 at 8 p.m.
“I found it very educational,” said Rosita Gabrel, a listener of the podcast “I AM Story.”
“Hearing that they're still dealing with issues and that one guy got fired during the pandemic. It was really scary to hear. I can't believe they're still dealing with that.” “I didn't,” she continued.
The series references famous civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s involvement in the Memphis Sanitation Strike. As several African American sanitation workers organized protests demanding higher wages and an end to inappropriate working conditions, Dr. King was drawn to their efforts and traveled to Memphis to support their cause. I went to This was the last movement in which King participated. King was assassinated while in Memphis while staying at the Lorraine Motel.
“We are proud to tell the story of Memphis' fearless strikers who marched with Dr. King, and honored to count them as part of our union family. ” Sanders shared in an AFSCME press release.
“We can never forget the sacrifices they make to ensure everyone has dignity and respect at work. Issues of racial and economic justice are once again brought to the fore. “Recognizing Memphis' strikers now will inspire the next generation to continue speaking out against inequality wherever they are.”
The podcast has released five full-length episodes ranging from 30 minutes to an hour. Listeners can access I AM Story from several platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Pandora, and iHeart Radio.
For more information about the “I AM Story” podcast, please visit the website www.iamstory.com.
