Why is the Phillips Neighborhood Named “Phillips?” Why Should We Care? 11-11-11

Wendell Phillips

By Jim Stewart

In the September Alley Newspaper we learned that our neighborhood was named after Wendell Phillips, a spectacular, inspiring fighter for social, economic and racial justice who lived in Boston over 150 years ago. (1811-1884)

We learned that he hated slavery and racism, fought for workers”' rights, demanded equality for women and insisted that Native Peoples be left to live peacefully in their own lands.

We learned that he was incredibly rich, but gave away his fortune to people seeking justice and equality. We learned that he was a fabulous public speaker who developed a huge influence on public opinion to finally abolish slavery and advance the rights of people of color.

How right it is that the part of Minneapolis that is the least wealthy, that contains the most people of color, that suffers most from multiple discrimination and that is most exploited economically is named after this guy!  He is our historical champion”“He is our inspiring gift from the past!

• Here are some of the injustices that Wendell Phillips spoke out against:
• Federal laws that excluded Asian people from immigrating to the United States.
• Racist politicians in Boston who forced African American children to attend inferior, segregated schools.