A world of fun on May Day?
This year, the Pegasus Parade, one of the several festivities leading up toward the Kentucky Derby, has settled on the theme “A World of Fun.” The theme, while intended to highlight the good times forthcoming this spring seems odd and misplaced, if not wholly unconscious given that we are in the midst of a global war on ‘terror’ (fighting two wars in the middle East), increasing poverty (37 million in the US, 4 billion worldwide), rights reductions (the PATRIOT Act, wiretapping, and challenges to habeas corpus), and recent crackdowns on undocumented workers in the US (workers who are nearly forced to come to the US for work given so-called ‘free’ trade agreements with their countries). A world of fun?
As one response, the Kentucky May Day Coalition, a local organization composed of labor unions, religious groups, civil rights and immigrant rights organizations will assemble and organize on May 1 prior to the Pegasus Parade in order to provide mass public education on labor, immigrant, and civil rights.
May Day originated in the United States, based on the heroic struggles of US workers in 1886 for the eight-hour workday. According to the Rouge Forum (http://www.rougeforum.org/), a fourteen hour day, eighty-four hours a week, was the norm in the 1880s. Nine year old children worked alongside their adult counterparts. Child labor was cheap and those with fourteen hours days were envied. In 1886 a strike began on May 1 in cities across the US. On the third day of striking in Chicago, tensions reached a boiling point between workers and police (as well as the owners of industry). The police attacked the picketers, killing six and wounding many others. Subsequent rallies and protests were similarly dismantled by police and five organizers were ultimately hung, on trumped-up charges, for their advocacy.
Concessions were won, however. Since then, May 1 has been internationally recognized as a worker’s holiday for celebrating and organizing. Interestingly, of course, May Day is not recognized, nor celebrated in the US.
Many of the workers who fought for the eight-hour day were immigrant workers who understood they were fighting for the rights of workers in all countries, regardless of their race, religion, nationality or country of origin. In that spirit the May Day Coalition calls upon citizens and workers to support:
(1) the right to organize—improving wages and working conditions, as well as ending so-called ‘free’ trade agreements,
(2) comprehensive immigration reform in Congress—that confers legal status on undocumented immigrant workers and ends raids and deportations, and
(3) the restoration of the right to vote when debts are paid to society—upholding the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
These rights and reforms stand to impact and improve the lives of workers everywhere. They represent the promise of economic justice. A world of fun is only possible in and is fully dependent upon a world of justice.
As we consider how we might live out an international mission, I would advocate in the spirit of Thomas Merton that we consider the more promising potential of global cooperation, global collaboration, and/or global compassion. Indeed, specific support for the work of the May Day Coalition or more general support for labor, immigrant, and civil rights will more likely lead (both locally and globally) to an “improved human condition;” perhaps, even, a world of fun.
Should you be interested in supporting or partaking in the work of the May Day coalition, please contact me.
As one response, the Kentucky May Day Coalition, a local organization composed of labor unions, religious groups, civil rights and immigrant rights organizations will assemble and organize on May 1 prior to the Pegasus Parade in order to provide mass public education on labor, immigrant, and civil rights.
May Day originated in the United States, based on the heroic struggles of US workers in 1886 for the eight-hour workday. According to the Rouge Forum (http://www.rougeforum.org/), a fourteen hour day, eighty-four hours a week, was the norm in the 1880s. Nine year old children worked alongside their adult counterparts. Child labor was cheap and those with fourteen hours days were envied. In 1886 a strike began on May 1 in cities across the US. On the third day of striking in Chicago, tensions reached a boiling point between workers and police (as well as the owners of industry). The police attacked the picketers, killing six and wounding many others. Subsequent rallies and protests were similarly dismantled by police and five organizers were ultimately hung, on trumped-up charges, for their advocacy.
Concessions were won, however. Since then, May 1 has been internationally recognized as a worker’s holiday for celebrating and organizing. Interestingly, of course, May Day is not recognized, nor celebrated in the US.
Many of the workers who fought for the eight-hour day were immigrant workers who understood they were fighting for the rights of workers in all countries, regardless of their race, religion, nationality or country of origin. In that spirit the May Day Coalition calls upon citizens and workers to support:
(1) the right to organize—improving wages and working conditions, as well as ending so-called ‘free’ trade agreements,
(2) comprehensive immigration reform in Congress—that confers legal status on undocumented immigrant workers and ends raids and deportations, and
(3) the restoration of the right to vote when debts are paid to society—upholding the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
These rights and reforms stand to impact and improve the lives of workers everywhere. They represent the promise of economic justice. A world of fun is only possible in and is fully dependent upon a world of justice.
As we consider how we might live out an international mission, I would advocate in the spirit of Thomas Merton that we consider the more promising potential of global cooperation, global collaboration, and/or global compassion. Indeed, specific support for the work of the May Day Coalition or more general support for labor, immigrant, and civil rights will more likely lead (both locally and globally) to an “improved human condition;” perhaps, even, a world of fun.
Should you be interested in supporting or partaking in the work of the May Day coalition, please contact me.
posted by adam at 12:35 PM
2 Comments:
reflecting back on the time when i first learned about the true meaning of may day, i am revived through the gains of the labor movement. enjoying not only those gains achieved through the struggle of those before me, i find myself on the contrary also double dipping in a life relative privilege-the fruits of those institutions against labor movements. have we in the buffer zone been taught to see our dependence and perceived independence from oppression-prone systems as just a part of the north american life?
commenting on the derby festivals slogan of the "world of fun," indeed, there must be a selective viewing of the world to derive such a phrase. we can be almost certain that to add the caveat 'for a few' would draw some quick criticism, but wouldn't that be a more correct statement? and if such a position would be taken, would the money allocated for the derby festival budget-5.5 million dollars according to bridgett sherrill, vice president for festival marketing-be used to say...off set city foreclosures which would definitely cause a 'world of fun' for those evicted families.
of the numerous effects of the labor movement, one transcendent factor felt by all is that of time. referring to z magazine blogger paul street's 2007 may day post, may day reflections: time as a democracy issue , street poses time as an issue not only for the gain of the individual but to be seen as a vital characteristic of participatory government. since an open democracy relies upon an educated citizenry, the time to become educated is vital to maintaining the system of government. unlike totalitarism or similar structure where you are told what to believe under the banner of extreme nationalism, an open system is defined by the ability to express dissent and opposing views. this takes time as street notes:
Democracy takes time. It takes time to study the issues and their historical context and meaning. It takes time to disentangle the endless lies of the power elite and its corporate media. It takes time to cut through all the propagandistic self-serving know-it-all bullshit of the bosses, teachers, newscasters, textbook writers, advertisers, candidates, political consultants, bureaucrats, professors and other professional liars and thought coordinators.
It takes time to figure out what's really going and what to do about it.
It takes time to build institutions and ideas and a culture of resistance. It takes time to develop alternative vision.
it also take the strength to utilize our time for the equalization of others. this might include reducing time spent on hobbies, entertainment, or incorporating personal time to include service and comradery. seeking partnerships leading to an equal exchange of gained benefits from those we serve and ourselves.
Time . . .
it is our most valuable and most squandered resource isn’t it? Although it has been said time and time again (smile), it is so life affirming to be a part of such a community of individuals as found here. You all continue to give of your time, love, and passion. Looking forward to our next meeting!
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