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They call me George : the untold story of black train porters and the birth of modern Canada Cover Image Book Book

They call me George : the untold story of black train porters and the birth of modern Canada / Cecil Foster.

Foster, Cecil, 1954- (author.).

Summary:

A historical work of non-fiction that chronicles the little-known stories of black railway porters-the so-called "Pullmen" of the Canadian rail lines. The actions and spirit of these men helped define Canada as a nation in surprising ways, effecting race relations, human rights, North American multiculturalism, community building, the shape and structure of unions, and the nature of travel and business across the US and Canada. Drawing on the stories and legends of several of these influential early black Canadians, this book narrates the history of a very visible, but rarely considered, aspect of black life in railway-age Canada. These porters, who fought against the idea of Canada as White Man's Country, open only to immigrants from Europe, fought for and won a Canada that would provide opportunities for all its citizens.

Record details

  • ISBN: 9781771962612 (paperback)
  • Physical Description: 295 pages ; 23 cm
  • Publisher: Windsor, Ontario : Biblioasis, 2019.

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:
Includes bibliographical references (pages 275-288) and index.

Search for related items by subject

Subject: Pullman porters > Canada > History.
Porters > Canada > History.
Train attendants > Canada > History.
Black Canadians > History.
Topic Heading: BIPOC.

Available copies

  • 1 of 1 copy available at Selkirk College.

Holds

  • 0 current holds with 1 total copy.
Show Only Available Copies
Location Call Number / Copy Notes Barcode Shelving Location Circulation Modifier Holdable? Status Due Date Courses
Castlegar Campus Library HD 6528 R362 C25 2019 (Text) B001643675 General Volume hold Available -
► Summaries & More
▼ Additional Content
Introduction 11(8)
Leaving the Station: Stan Grizzle's Legacy of Social Change
19(16)
The Railways Are Always Hiring: Working in White Man's Country
35(18)
"Did you ring, Sir?": Modern Luxury and Black Labour
53(22)
The Coloured Commonwealth: Reckoning with a Racist Past
75(22)
"I Know Nothing About That": Legislating the Colour Line
97(20)
The End of Empire: Reimagining Immigration
117(26)
Pressuring Parliament: A New Kind of Canadian Citizenship
143(18)
A Creolized Country: The Black British of the West Indies
161(22)
Permanent Residence: Social Identity and the State
183(14)
Demerits and Deadheading: The Rail Companies' Unreasonable Demands
197(8)
An Uphill Battle: Pushing for Policy Changes
205(16)
Fair Consideration: The Porters Gain New Ground
221(14)
The Porters' Final Fight: A Multicultural Country
235(14)
Beyond the Rails: The Battle for Black Identity
249(14)
Conclusion: A Multicultural Brotherhood Fulfilling a Dream
263(12)
Afterword: Appreciating the Legacy 275(2)
Endnotes 277(12)
Index 289

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