This February, UTA joins many others in recognizing and celebrating Black History Month and the achievements Black and African Americans have had in U.S. history. The intersection of public transportation with the Black and African American population unfortunately consists of marginalization and a long struggle for racial desegregation on public transit. We recognize figures like Frederick Douglass and Rosa Parks, and events like the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and reflect on how these efforts and activism have advanced equity in transportation. We recommend this article from Julian Hipkins III and David Busch about the leading individuals in the historical civil rights movements for more equitable transportation.
UTA follows the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin, including exclusion from public services. UTA is not only committed to complying with the Civil Rights Act, but also to protecting public access to transit services without discrimination and bias. UTA has joined community partners in signing the Utah Compact on Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, and we are working both to advance diversity, equity and inclusion both in our workplace and within our transit services.
Join The Conversation
As we increase dialogue with the community about how to make transit more equitable, UTA is hosting a virtual conversation on February 24 from 10 a.m. to Noon entitled “Re-Imagining Transit: Connecting People and Building Community.” The conversation will discuss the intersection of public transportation, Civil Rights, and the future of our community. Register here to attend.
Check out these other opportunities to honor and learn during Black History Month:
- Transportation Protests: 1841 to 1992.
- Rosa Parks and the long history of Transportation Protest
- Racism has shaped public transit, and it’s riddled with inequities
- Transportation Inequity in the United States: A Historical Overview
- Utah Film Center Offerings for Black History Month
- Stay in touch with the Utah Black Chamber (they just released a new book).
Image courtesy of damian entwistle via flickr.