Labor Day, celebrated on the first Monday of September, is often seen as a time for rest, barbecues, and parades. But for people of color in America, its meaning runs deeper—rooted in centuries of struggle, resistance, and resilience. It’s not just a holiday; it’s a reminder of the labor that built this nation and the ongoing fight for dignity, equity, and justice in the workplace.
From the forced labor of enslaved Africans to the exploited toil of Chinese railroad workers, Mexican farm laborers, and Indigenous peoples, the American economy was built on the backs of those denied fair wages, safety, and recognition. While Labor Day was established in the late 19th century to honor the contributions of workers, it largely excluded Black and Brown laborers whose work was either criminalized, devalued, or invisibilized.
The uncomfortable truth is that forms of slave labor still exist today. Mass incarceration disproportionately affects Black and Brown communities, and prison labor—often paid mere cents per hour—fuels industries ranging from agriculture to manufacturing. This modern-day exploitation echoes the past, where labor was extracted without consent or compensation, reinforcing cycles of poverty and systemic oppression.
Yet, people of color have always resisted. The Pullman Strike of 1894, which led to the creation of Labor Day, was influenced by Black workers who were excluded from unions but organized independently. The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, led by A. Philip Randolph, became the first African American labor union to receive a charter from the AFL. Latino farmworkers, led by César Chávez and Dolores Huerta, mobilized for fair wages and humane conditions. Indigenous activists have long fought for sovereignty and labor rights on tribal lands.
Today, Labor Day should be a call to action. Especially in light of what’s happening in the federal government. Let’s take a moment to honor not just the labor of the past, but the ongoing efforts to dismantle systems of exploitation. That means advocating for fair wages, safe working conditions, and the abolition of prison labor. It means recognizing domestic workers, undocumented laborers, and gig workers—many of whom are people of color—as essential, not expendable the way ICE thinks they are.
For communities of color, Labor Day is not just about rest. It’s about remembrance, resistance, and renewal. It’s a day to reflect on the labor that built this country—and to recommit to building a future where all work is valued, and all workers are free. ■