How did the labor movement mobilize citizens to rally...

greblc

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Fri Nov-05-04 11:37 PM
Original message

How did the labor movement mobilize citizens to rally...

against corrupt Business and Government. I know there was an Economic motivator but how were those on the fence persuaded to take to the streets? How can we motivate those who may be more passive to take action against the same powers today?

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T Bone

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Fri Nov-05-04 11:39 PM
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1. I think we need a new Free University Movement in every major city

Offer education to the under-educated workers.

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JohnKleeb

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Fri Nov-05-04 11:45 PM
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3. always been my plan

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GreenPartyVoter

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Fri Nov-05-04 11:52 PM
Response to Reply #1

5. I like the idea of every graduating HS senior being given a voucher

for the post-secondary education or training of their choice. Courtesy of the DOD, of course. *l*

-----------------------------------------------------------
FIGHT! Take this country back one town and state at a time!
http://www.geocities.com/greenpartyvoter/electionreform.htm

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Jerseygirltoo

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Fri Nov-05-04 11:44 PM
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2. They arrived here motivated

They were not middle class, so they had a lot less to lose. Also, a lot of the early labor movement were immigrants from countries in Europe. They were already politically aware, and they had been through worse times in their home countries. So they did not hesitate to fight. And being a scab was really taboo, you would be ostracized in your community, so not many would do it.
I recommend reading Howard Zinn, or there's a great book called
"Labor's Untold Story", about the history of the labor movement.

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greblc

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Fri Nov-05-04 11:57 PM
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7. Most of us are not living in poverty yet.

I live in SW Mpls and our community voted Kerry. I think the Bush supporters here do feel a bit ostracized. The few Bush signs in my neighborhood came down fast. They had multiple signs up big and bold and now they are gone. I think we should call the Bush supporters to the carpet and treat them like scabs.
They are in a sense eroding labor and should be confronted at every opportunity. It's hard to piss off your neighbors but if we all do it we may show some solidarity

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BiggJawn

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Fri Nov-05-04 11:51 PM
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4. By watching the factory owner's goons beat their coworkers to death.

Ford lost the war when he had Harry Bennett's thugs beat Walter Reuther half to death in the street in front of the plant.

but, would that motivate today's worker? I don't think so. I think they've been conditioned into such a state of "sheepdom" that they'd probably side with the thugs who were just "putting down some uppity commie agitators"...

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RevCheesehead

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Fri Nov-05-04 11:54 PM
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6. Poverty, child labor, unsafe workplaces...to name a few.

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Mike Niendorff

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Sat Nov-06-04 12:03 AM
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8. No TV.

Or, to put it another way : less anesthesia.

MDN

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intheflow

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Sat Nov-06-04 12:12 AM
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9. With charismatic leaders and a lot of bloodshed

Charismatic leaders:
Mother Jones: http://www.kentlaw.edu/ilhs/majones.htm
Dolores Huerta: http://www.nwhp.org/tlp/biographies/huerta/huerta_bio.html
Cesar Chavez: http://chavezfoundation.org/Default.aspx?pi=33

Bloodshed:
Ludlow Massacre: http://www.umwa.org/history/ludlow.shtml

Triangle Factory fire: http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/trianglefire/

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greblc

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Sat Nov-06-04 12:22 AM
Response to Reply #9

10. We need those leaders now!

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intheflow

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Sat Nov-06-04 12:32 AM
Response to Reply #10

11. They will arise, unbidden and humble.

Edited on Sat Nov-06-04 12:34 AM by jinuu

It'll probably be something like the old saying, "Some leaders are born great and others have greatness thrust upon them." The latter is because so many "disappear" or are assassinated. Don't forget MLK was killed not while working for equal rights, but when he was marching with janitors for labor rights. It's scary work, so that's why no one's stepping up yet.

But never doubt that the work we do lays the foundation future leaders will stand on. Don't lose hope and keep searching for ways to make a difference. It's all good! :hippie:

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