EPISODE · Feb 9, 2026 · 1H
A Porter’s Life: Riding the Rails of Black Labor History
from 77 Flavors of Chicago · host Sara Faddah & Dario Durham
A Porter’s Life: Riding the Rails of Black Labor HistoryThe morning of April 6th 1907, Ross Wood decided to fill out the application to become a Pullman Porter. He was 23 years old, and until this point he has only ever worked as a servant; a “houseboy”. Wood was born to parents that were enslaved not too long before he was born. He thought about how if he had been born just 20 years earlier, he too would’ve been a slave. He wanted to be a porter. It was a respected job among his black peers and even though he would spend his days being demeaned, the $10 a week might’ve been enough incentive. Show Notes HereSend us Fan MailSupport the showIf you have anything you'd like us to talk about on the podcast, food or history, please email us at [email protected] US ON YOUTUBE HERE!Visit our *NEW* website https://www.77flavors.orgFollow us on IG:77 Flavors of Chicago @77flavorschiDario dariodurhamphotoSara @sarafaddah
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A Porter’s Life: Riding the Rails of Black Labor History The morning of April 6th 1907, Ross Wood decided to fill out the application to become a Pullman Porter. He was 23 years old, and until this point he has only ever worked as a servant; a “houseboy”. Wood was born to parents that were enslaved not too long before he was born. He thought about how if he had been born just 20 years earlier, he too would’ve been a slave. He wanted to be a porter. It was a respected job among his black peers...
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A Porter’s Life: Riding the Rails of Black Labor History
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