Charleston Daily

Charleston Daily is a concept in community. Its mission is to promote, assist, and celebrate in everything Charleston, South Carolina. By partnering with businesses, community leaders, volunteers and events, we are spreading the love that is Charleston. As this city continues to grow and prosper, we want to help spread the message to all about how wonderful this community is. Charleston is about the people, community, water, land, history, heritage and the true southern warmth it brings with each and every day.

Charleston’s Bertha’s Kitchen Named One of the Five Recipients of the 2017 James Beard Foundation America’s Classics Award

January 26, 2017

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

New York, NY (Restaurant News Release) The James Beard Foundation announced today the five recipients of its 2017 America’s Classics award. The America’s Classics award is given to restaurants that have timeless appeal and are cherished for quality food that reflects the character of their community. The 2017 honorees join the ranks of nearly 100 restaurants that have received the award since the category was first introduced in 1998. This year’s winners will be celebrated at the 27th annual James Beard Foundation Awards Gala on Monday, May 1, 2017 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

“In an ever-changing culinary landscape, these honorees have created enduring restaurants and food establishments that have not only stood the test of time, but continue to bring people together in celebration of the unique flavors in America’s vast food scene,” says Susan Ungaro, president of the James Beard Foundation. “James Beard would have admired how each of these honorees authentically reflects the character and hospitality of their communities.”

The 2017 James Beard Foundation America’s Classics award winners are:

Bertha’s Kitchen (2332 Meeting Street Road, Charleston, SC; Owners: Julia Grant, Linda Pinckney and Sharon Coakley)

On North Meeting Street, the flavors of the Lowcountry boldly emanate from this robin’s-egg-blue spot, where Albertha Grant first opened shop in 1980. Her presence is still felt each time a cook hefts a stewpot to the stove and tosses in a seasoning hunk of sidemeat. Vibrant family portraits by Charleston muralist Charles DeSaussure line the walls. Today, her daughters Julia Grant, Linda Pinckney, and Sharon Coakley serve fried whiting, fried pork chops, red rice, prioleau rice, stewed chicken neck with gizzards and lima beans. Regulars queue the cafeteria line before eleven each morning. Construction workers exit with foam clamshells of Gullah excellence. Okra soup, a dark garlicky stew, thick with tomatoes, and clods of pork in a richly aromatic broth, is worth the trip alone. This soulful restaurant connects modern diners with traditional food ways and shines as a paragon of the region’s living culinary history.

Gioia’s Deli (1934 Macklind Avenue, St. Louis, MO; Owner: Alex Donley)

For a century, Gioia’s has been a fixture of the Hill, the neighborhood that is the heart of St. Louis’ Italian-American community. First it served the community as a grocery store, run by Marcallo, Italy, native Challie Gioia. Since Cathy Donley bought it in 1980, the building, built from brick and wood from the 1904 World’s Fair, has functioned as a lunch restaurant. Through it all, the recipe for Gioia’s signature hot salami hasn’t changed. The salami is hot as in temperature, not as in spice. That said, the (mostly) secret blend of pork-head meat, beef and seasonings packs a peppery bite. It’s a fresh, boiled sausage, with a texture like coarse pâté and a flavor that is porky, earthy, a little funky. Topped with the city’s beloved cheese, Provel, it’s a dish that has traveled from Italian to Italian-American to thoroughly St. Louisan.

La Taqueria (2889 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA; Owner: Miguel Jara)

The Mission-style burrito is a beloved expression and encapsulation of Mexican-American culinary heritage in the Bay Area. Burrito connoisseurs endlessly debate which taqueria makes the definitive version of the foil- wrapped, all-in-one meal of meats, beans, rice, cheese, and more, wrapped in a whopper of a flour tortilla, and often called a “silver torpedo,” Through the years, La Taqueria has stood out as a standard-bearer, and a barometer upon which to argue over other burritos. Jara is from villa Guerrero, Jalisco and grew up in Tijuana. The burritos he serves are not of any specific region of Mexico. At his counter-service restaurant, filled with simple wooden tables, Jara rejects the beans-and-rice approach, doubles down on the meat, and griddles his burritos golden-brown. Discussions about the merits and culture of the burrito form always, at some point, lead to La Taqueria, where the line to get gets more and more absurd as time goes by, but the quality stays high.

Sahadi’s (187 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, NY; Owners: Christina Sahadi Whelan and Ron Sahadi)

Atlantic Avenue, between the waterfront and the terminal is Brooklyn’s fertile crescent, a cluster of Middle Eastern restaurants, groceries, bakeries and sundry shops. Sahadi’s, at the heart of this micro-neighborhood, has a New York root system that dates to the late 19th century, when Abrahim Sahadi first set up shop in downtown Manhattan. Charlie Sahadi and his brother Bob Sahadi, direct descendants of Abraham, ran the business for more than 50 years with help from Charlie’s wife Audrey before handing the reigns to Charlie’s daughter Christine Whelan and son Ron Sahadi in 2016. Today, Sahadi’s is a bulk bin wonderland, packed with locals scooping through glass jars of amaranth, pistachios, dried figs, spices, and roasted coffee, or loading their carts with pantry goods like pomegranate molasses and Middle Eastern cheeses. It all comes together in the deli, where the family stocks multiple varieties of rich, tangy labneh, vats of creamy hummus and delicious seasonal salads as well as stocking the bakery with flaky borekas and baklava, harissa-drenched lavash and Middle Eastern breads.

Schultz’s Crab House (1732 Old Eastern Avenue, Essex, MD; Owners: Karen and Bob McKinney

Schultz’s, a quintessential Maryland crab house, opened in 1950 as a cafe and lounge, run by Mildred and William Schultz. Karen and Bob McKinney took over in 1969. Their children, led by son Steve McKinney, still operate the restaurant. Schultz’s resides in Essex, Maryland, a community flanked by estuaries of the Chesapeake Bay. An easy ten-mile drive from downtown Baltimore, the wood-paneled, nautical-themed dining room, where white butcher paper covers every table, sets the scene for a timeless seafood spread. In summer and fall, when Maryland crabs are at their finest, devoted regulars feast on locally caught swimmers plump with sweet meat and zinged with a house blend of spices. Regional classics, highlighting the Old Line State’s signature crustacean, fill out the menu, including jumbo lump and backfin crab cakes, crab fluff (a battered and deep-fried crab cake), and dairy-rich crab imperial.

To qualify for the America’s Classics award, establishments must have been in existence at least ten years and be locally owned. The honorees are selected each year by the James Beard Foundation’s Restaurant & Chef Awards committee, a group composed of restaurant critics, writers, editors and other experts. The selection process begins each fall with a public call for entries, allowing anyone the opportunity to suggest candidates for the awards.

On Tuesday, April 25, 2017, the James Beard Media Awards, an exclusive event honoring the nation’s top cookbook authors, culinary broadcast producers and hosts, and food journalists, will take place at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers in New York City.

The James Beard Foundation Awards Gala will be held at the Lyric Opera of Chicago on Monday, May 1, 2017. During the event, which is open to the public, awards for the Restaurant and Chef and Restaurant Design categories will be handed out, along with special achievement awards Humanitarian of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, Design Icon, Who’s Who of Food and Beverage in America, and America’s Classics. A gala reception will immediately follow, featuring top chefs and beverage professionals from across the country.

Established in 1990, the James Beard Awards recognize culinary professionals for excellence and achievement in their fields and furthers the Foundation’s mission to celebrate, nurture, and honor chefs and other leaders making America’s food culture more delicious, diverse, and sustainable for everyone. Each award category has an individual committee made up of industry professionals who volunteer their time to oversee the policies, procedures, and selection of judges for their respective Awards program. All JBF Award winners receive a certificate and a medallion engraved with the James Beard Foundation Awards insignia. There are no cash prizes.

The 2017 James Beard Foundation Awards are proudly hosted by Choose Chicago and presented in association with the Chicago Department of Aviation, HMSHost, the Illinois Restaurant Association and Mariano’s as well as the following partners: Premier Sponsors: All-Clad Metalcrafters, American Airlines, True Refrigeration®; Supporting Sponsors: Acqua Panna® Natural Spring Water, Breville, Meiomi, S.Pellegrino® Sparkling Natural Mineral Water, Skuna Bay Salmon, Valrhona; Gala Reception Sponsors: Ecolab, Kendall College, Windstar; with additional support from: Chefwear, VerTerra Dinnerware.

About the James Beard Foundation (JBF)

Founded in 1986, the James Beard Foundation celebrates, nurtures, and honors chefs and other leaders making America’s food culture more delicious, diverse, and sustainable for everyone. A cookbook author and teacher with an encyclopedic knowledge about food, the late James Beard was a champion of American cuisine. He helped educate and mentor generations of professional chefs and food enthusiasts, instilling in them the value of wholesome, healthful, and delicious food. Today JBF continues in the same spirit by administering a number of diverse programs that include educational initiatives, food industry awards, scholarships for culinary students, publications, chef advocacy training, and thought-leader convening. The Foundation also maintains the historic James Beard House in New York City’s Greenwich Village as a “performance space” for visiting chefs. For more information, please visit jamesbeard.org. Get food news, recipes, and more at the James Beard Foundation’s blog, or subscribe to the free digital newsletter Beard Bites. Follow @beardfoundation on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Snapchat. Watch the James Beard House Kitchen Cam, James Beard Awards, and more on the Foundation’s Livestream channel. Find more JBF-related video on the Foundation’s YouTube channels.

Contact:
Mary Blanton Ogushwitz / Jane Shapiro
Magrino
212-957-3005
mary.blanton@smapr.com
jane.shapiro@smapr.com

BJ’s Wholesale Club Surprises Teachers in Charleston, Summerville and Area Towns with Donation of $100,000 through DonorsChoose.org

January 26, 2017

by Charleston Daily 1 Comment

CHARLESTON, S.C., Jan. 26, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — BJ’s Wholesale Club today announced that it funded all classroom projects listed by teachers in Charleston, Summerville and neighboring communities through crowd-funding website DonorsChoose.org. The $100,000 donation from the BJ’s Charitable Foundation fulfilled 141 teacher-led projects, benefiting 846 students in 65 local schools.

“At BJ’s, our commitment to our members extends far beyond the outstanding value and quality found at our Clubs,” said Kirk Saville, senior vice president, corporate communications, BJ’s Wholesale Club. “We’re pleased to make this donation to celebrate our entrance to the Summerville community, and we’re thrilled to be able to help enrich learning in Lowcountry classrooms through our partnership with DonorsChoose.org.”

BJ’s donation supports a diverse variety of projects in Summerville, Charleston, North Charleston and the surrounding area. Projects funded include:

Supplies to increase digital reading experiences at home and to print students’ published writing and portfolio projects
Basic essentials such as new backpacks to help students carry their supplies to and from school each day
Outdoor musical instruments that will allow students to use creative thinking abilities and fine motor skills to produce different types of music during recess and academic arts time

“We are so grateful for the support of BJ’s Wholesale Club as they celebrate the opening of their new Summerville location,” said Rianne Roberts, partnerships manager at DonorsChoose.org. “Their support will bring learning to life for so many students in the communities of Summerville and Charleston.”

As part of its Adopt-a-School program and collaboration with DonorsChoose.org, BJ’s has contributed more than $2 million to help equip teachers at over 2,500 public and charter elementary schools with the resources necessary to create innovative lesson plans and meet curriculum objectives.

The BJ’s Wholesale Club is scheduled to open in Spring 2017, and will be located at the intersection of Interstate 26 and North Main Street, Summerville’s primary retail corridor. The Club will be the first in South Carolina, expanding BJ’s footprint to 16 states and marking club #215 for the company. The Club will also feature a BJ’s Gas® station, saving Members even more.

Trip Advisor Names Its Top 25 Hotels in the United States: One Charleston Hotel Made the List

January 25, 2017

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

Trip Advisor has just named its Top 25 Hotels in the United States in 2017. One Charleston, SC hotel made the list at #6.

This years honor goes to the French Quarter Inn. We are proud of the French Quarter Inn for receiving this well deserved distinction.

This hotel has 2620 reviews and an overall rating of 5 Stars on Trip Advisor. You can’t get a higher rating than that.

Here is the complete list of honorees for 2017

The Nantucket Hotel and Resort – Nantucket, Massachusetts
The Charmont Hotel – La Crosse, Wisconsin
The Oxford Hotel – Bend, Oregon
Stephanie Inn – Cannon Beach, Oregon
The Inn at Lost Creek – Telluride, Colorado
The French Quarter Inn – Charleston, South Carolina
Icona Diamond Beach – Lower Township, New Jersey
Rusty Parrot Lodge and Spa – Jackson, Wyoming
Ambassador Hotel Tulsa, Autograph Collection – Tulsa, Oklahoma
Hotel Emma – San Antonio, Texas
Inn at The 5th – Eugene, Oregon
Primland – Meadow of Dan, Virginia
Inn at the Market – Seattle, Washington
EVEN Hotel – Time Square South – New York, New York
Rancho Valencia – Rancho Santa Fe, California
Inn and Club at Harbour Town – Sea Pines Resort – Hilton Head, South Carolina
Santa Maria Suites – Key West, Florida
Hotel Giraffe by Library Hotel Collection – New York, New York
Casablanca Hotel by Library Hotel Collection – New York, New York
The Wallhouse Hotel – Walnut Creek, Ohio
Henderson Park Inn – Destin, Florida
The Lodge at Woodloch – Hawley, Pennsylvania
Hotel Jackson – Jackson, Wyoming
Auberge du Soleil – Rutherford, California
Hotel Wailea – Wailea, Hawaii

Ranker.com’s List of the Most Beautiful Cities in the United States Named: Charleston #8

January 24, 2017

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

By Mark A. Leon

Ranker.com uses the feedback of the reader to rate everything from celebrities to dancers, skyscrapers to Bed and Breakfasts. They rely on the expertise or opinion of you, the reader to judge various topics and places. Based on the voting of the travelers that participated in this year’s survey, Charleston, SC was named the 8th Most Beautiful City in the United States.

What makes this study so informative is that it breaks it down further by specific demographics of gender, age and location. Here is a full breakdown of how Charleston fared.

Overall: Charleston #8

Women: Charleston #20
Men: Charleston #20
Under Age 30: Charleston #43
Age 31-39: Charleston #33
50 and Over: Charleston #36
American Travelers: Charleston #14
International Travelers: Charleston #12
Southern Travelers: Charleston #8
Northeast Travelers: Charleston #4
West Coast Travelers: Charleston #26
Midwest Travelers: Charleston #38
Central: Charleston #32

Full Report Results – Ranker.com – Most Beautiful Cities in the US 2017

Mount Pleasant, SC

Mount Pleasant Pediatric Dental Wants to Remind You of the Importance of Tooth Care

January 24, 2017

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

KIDS TEETH REMINDS PARENTS THAT BABY TEETH MATTER TOO

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. – How many times have parents said, “But
they’re just baby teeth.” Pediatric dentists find a common tendency
among parents to dismiss those early baby teeth as unimportant simply
because they will eventually be replaced by permanent teeth as the child
grows.

Mount Pleasant pediatric dental office Kids Teeth is using National
Children’s Dental Health Month in February to remind parents and
caregivers that baby teeth do indeed matter both in a child’s
short-term development and for long-term dental health.

Primary or baby teeth are important for many reasons:

* They help children speak clearly and chew naturally.

* They aid in dental development, to hold space in the jaws for
permanent teeth. When a baby tooth is lost too early, the permanent
teeth can drift into the empty space and make it difficult for other
adult teeth to find room when they come in. This can make teeth crooked
or crowded.

* Good habits start early. Teaching children to care for their primary
teeth plays a critical role in how they care for their permanent teeth.

Parents who don’t take their children to the dentist at an early age
or don’t fill cavities in baby teeth in a timely matter face bigger
dental issues down the road. Depending on the age of the child, the
tooth could remain in the mouth for several years before they lose it on
their own. That means the cavity will grow and eventually cause severe
pain and discomfort.

Neglecting early dental care also can cause damage to the permanent
tooth and potentially result in spacing issues as permanent teeth
emerge. A non-functioning tooth makes chewing and speaking more
difficult.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends children see a
pediatric dentist by 12 months of age or within 6 months after their
first tooth appears.

“The idea of such early dental visits is still surprising to many new
parents,” said Dr. Mike Myers. “We are continually educating parents
on the important of early dental care.”

National studies are showing preschool-aged children are getting more
cavities. In fact, one in four children in the United States has had at
least one cavity by the age of 4, and many kids get cavities as early as
age 2.

“Taking your child to the pediatric dentist at a young age is the best
way to prevent tooth decay and promote a healthy mouth,” Myers said.
“We help parents learn how to properly clean their child’s teeth and
maintain a lifetime of good oral health.”

To promote good dental health, Kids Teeth is hosting a Healthy Smile
Selfie Contest. During the month of February, take a photo of your
children practicing good dental hygiene – brushing, flossing, drinking
water, eating healthy foods, etc. Upload it to your Facebook page and
tag @kidsteethsc or share on Instagram using #healthysmileselfie.

For each entry submitted in the contest, Kids Teeth will donate $1 to
Windwood Farm, a home for boys who have been abused or neglected.

The winner will receive one year of free dental care and kid’s Fitbit
(grand prize valued at $560 and includes two exams, two fluoride
treatments, two prophy treatments (polishing) and two bitewing X-rays).
One entry per child, per household; entrants do not have to be current
Kids Teeth patients to be eligible to win.

ABOUT KIDS TEETH

Located in Mount Pleasant, S.C., Kids Teeth is dedicated to providing
the highest quality care to infants, children and adolescents in a
friendly and comfortable environment. Serving the Charleston area for
more than 30 years, Kids Teeth believes that through the education and
motivation of children and their parents, patients can maintain a
lifetime of good oral health. Learn more at www.kidsteethsc.com

This Day in History: Francis Marion and Henry Lee Surprise Attack on British in Georgetown, SC

January 24, 2017

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

By Mark A. Leon

The name Francis Marion or “The Swamp Fox” holds a tremendous amount of leverage in Charleston. From his prominent namesake of Marion Square to the Francis Marion Hotel, The Swamp Fox was a critical military and political figure in America’s fight for Freedom. Though it is a bit exaggerated, Mel Gibson’s ‘The Patriot’ is loosely based on his life. Some historians also argue, Francis Marion began what we know today as guerilla warfare.

On this day in history, January 24, 1781, Patriot commanders Lieutenant Colonel Light Horse Henry Lee and Brigadier General Francis “Swamp Fox” Marion of South Carolina militia raided 200 British soldiers in Georgetown, SC. Marion took control of this militia group assembled at Fort Sumter in 1780 and during this surprise raid of Georgetown were able to capture a number of British officers including the British Commander.

This was a key battle in the Revolutionary effort and one that would catapult Francis Marion to prominence.

All on this day in Charleston area history 236 years ago today.

Learn more about Francis Marion and the South Carolina patriot efforts during the Revolutionary War efforts:

The Swamp Fox History – Smithsonian

American Heroes: Francis Marion, South Carolina’s Swamp Fox – A Patriot’s History

General Francis Marion: Revolutionary War Hero – Sciway

Francis Marion – United States History

Charleston Native Shepard Fairey Shows His Support for the Women’s March and Solidarity

January 22, 2017

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

By Mark A. Leon

Charleston native and world renowned artist Shepard Fairey released “American Civics” a series of protest posters with a message of “We The People”.

In this series, you will see depictions of Latina, Muslim and African American women all centered around the red, white and blue. This is a similar representation, Fairey did eight years earlier with the Barrack Obama Hope posters. He wants to share a message of equality, hope and promise to a nation of equality for all.

These posters are quickly becoming the symbol of a movement that sweeping the country. Yesterday 2.2 million plus, in various cities, around the nation stood together in protest.

Now Shepard Fairey is offering the opportunity to download the prints and share them as a show of solidarity.

Click Here to Download the “American Civics” series prints in high resolution

Shepard-DefendDignity

Experience Life One Billion Years Ago Right in the Heart of Charleston (And It’s Free)

January 22, 2017

by Charleston Daily 2 Comments

By Mark A. Leon

Every wonder what the Earth looked like at the beginning or what life would have been like 500 million years ago? Ever really put your life in perspective looking at the big picture? Ever want to be face to face with a Giant Bear or Killer Fish? All these can come true right in the heart of downtown Charleston, SC and the College of Charleston at the Mace Brown Natural History Museum.

In case you didn’t notice in the title, it is free.

From 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM Daily (Except Wednesdays), you can experience 3 Billion Years of Evolution in one remarkable exhibit. Some may think this is great for just the kids and these people will be mistaken. This exhibit caters to children, students and adults alike. It is situated in two rooms on one floor so if you are worried about the attention span of the little ones, you have no need to fret. This is a small museum, but filled with so many fascinating artifacts and knowledge.

If you are a local or a tourist, we encourage everyone to experience one of the greatest collections in the city. This museum will educate, excite and tap into your inner curiosity about existence and co-existence.

If we didn’t peak you interest, follow us through this gallery of images and see for yourself how much fun you can have at the Mace Brown Natural History Museum located at 202 Calhoun Street, across from Addlestone Library

Now go discover your inner Indiana Jones.

GALLERY: Forgotten Charleston – Images of a City Still in Decay

January 21, 2017

by Charleston Daily 1 Comment

By Mark A. Leon

While the peninsula is thriving with record numbers of tourists, new high end retail and restaurant neighbors, robust housing prices and hotels and boutiques popping up annually, it is easy to see that sheltered in the thriving Historic Charleston district is a city that is still suffering from the pains of poverty and infrastructural decline.

There are spots of Charleston that resemble poverty stricken Argentina or Camden, NJ more than the majestic Biltmore Estate.

One of the missions of Charleston is one community. That is a promise made by our leadership and a commitment we stand behind. Sometimes words and actions don’t always find their way to a cohesive partnership.

We wanted to share some images of Charleston that you may not see in your everyday journey’s or perhaps you just turn a dumb eye. It is important to bring attention to the fact that we have serious infrastructure concerns, flooding and a growing separation point between the wealthy and the poor.

Charleston Remembers: Free The Charleston Five! 17 Years Later

January 21, 2017

by Charleston Daily 1 Comment

By Mark A. Leon

On January 20th, 2000, a protest on the Charleston, SC sparked a police riot and got the attention of a nation. Seventeen years later, we remember the five individuals that became the center of the protest, riot and trial. This was an event where class struggles and racism came together for one explosive chain of events. The trial coined a vocal moment called, ‘Free The Charleston Five’.

In January 2000, after a march on Colombia, SC 3 days earlier to lower the Confederate flag from the State Capital, 150 members of the International Longshoremen’s Association Local 1422 held a militant picket to protest the use of non-union labor by a small, renegade shipping line on the Charleston docks. The demonstration soon escalated into a violent face-off between authorities numbering over 600 and the workers, five of whom now faced trial for felony rioting charges in what has become one of the most closely-watched Southern labor battles.

Jason Edgerton, Elijah Ford Jr., Kenneth Jefferson, Ricky Simmons and Peter Washington Jr. were tried on federal charges of “felonious riot.” Considered by many as targets of a racist anti-union assault aimed at the heart of labor, as the bosses seek to break a key outpost of unionism in the South: Charleston, the East Coast’s second largest port. At the time, only 4% of South Carolina was unionized.

Freeing the South Carolina dock workers became a national and international cause, and eventually the state backed down, agreeing to release them on misdemeanor charges. ILA Local 1422 has continued to be a vital center for community action in the area, including serving as a meeting ground for the Charleston Black Lives Matter movement after the police shooting of Walter Scott in April 2015.

Today, with the Boeing anti-union activism in South Carolina, Walter Scott, Emanuel AME and smaller unspoken incidents, it appears, we may not have moved much in the last seventeen years, other than becoming a little more peaceful in our feelings and actions.

Excerpt of Article in The Internationalist, June, 2001:

“Three days before the police riot of 20 January 2000, ILA Local 1422 participated in a march of tens of thousands in Columbia, the state capital, demanding that the Confederate flag be taken down from above the statehouse. The brutal attack in Charleston was in good part a “payback” from the racist state government. Yet the protest against the hated flag of slavery and KKK terror was exploited as a vehicle by the capitalist politicians of the Democratic Party – the same party of racism and exploitation that put the flag there in 1962 as a threatening show of hatred of the civil rights movement against Jim Crow segregation. In response to the protests, a “compromise solution” backed by Governor James Hodges and Charleston mayor Joseph Riley, Democrats elected with union backing, moved the racist banner from the top to the front of the building.

South Carolina labor does the legwork for the Democrats, and in return gets kicked in the teeth. After the longshoremen helped elect Hodges governor, he nominated Local 1422 president Ken Riley to the Port Authority, that is, to serve as a “labor statesman” helping the bosses administer port workers’ exploitation. The maritime companies said no way – and the nomination was promptly withdrawn. The longshoremen, together with a range of “progressive” groups, responded by picketing the state Democratic Party in Columbia. Yet in Charleston, the Local 1422 union hall doubles as Democratic headquarters! Now the Republicans seek to ram through a bill, known as the “Riley Act,” banning “card-carrying” unionists from serving on state boards so that, in the words of lieutenant governor Harvey Peeler, “the right-to-work foundation of our pro-business climate is never again compromised by union politics.”

Today, the two Carolinas boast the lowest rate of unionization in the entire United States: just above 4 percent. South Carolina is one of two states that do not comply with the federal minimum wage law. Low-wage, non-union labor has been the attraction for “run-away shops” including from France (Michelin tires) and Germany (BMW and others). Seeing themselves as born-again plantation overseers, the capitalist authorities have a special hatred for black longshore unionists who are a nucleus of labor organization in this state, where attempts to drive workers into virtual slave-labor conditions are cynically called “right-to-work” laws.”

Read more about the history and politics of the Charleston Five Incident: Facing Flag Article ‘Flashback: The Charleston Five and the black struggle for justice’ (2015) and The Internationalist Article ‘Defend the Charleston Five!’ (2001)