As we celebrate Labor Day today, let us take the opportunity to thank the leaders of organized labor for making life in this country a little more fair for workers. In these days of economic problems, job losses, corporate mergers and downsizing, it is comforting to know that the labor movement is still alive and well. Yes, the movement has lost membership over the years, and yes, labor has had to become more 'flexible' and adaptive to the many challenges faced by the American business community. As the American empire changes, labor will continue to change.
But if it were not for pioneers such as Samuel Gompers, Walter Reuther, James Hoffa and many others, the middle class as we know it would not exist. Children would still be forced to work in sweatshops for long hours and paltry wages, instead of pursuing a quality education. Workers would continue to work in unsafe and undesirable conditions while company managers would be able to do whatever they wanted to in order to meet production quotas. There would be no such thing as 15 minute breaks, sick days, vacation days, and personal business days. Holidays would be just another work day. Tuition payment or reimbursement would not exist.In cases where there were problems with management, if there were no unions, unfair labor practices would be the norm instead of the exception. If there were no labor unions, there would little or no protections for workers, OSHA would not exist, healthcare would not be provided for any worker and pensions would not exist.
So whenever someone says to you that labor is the problem with American business, tell them that the life most of us live today is because of the labor movement. Tell them that this day off from work that we celebrate would not be possible if not for the vision, courage, sacrifices and dedication to a better working environment by our brothers and sisters in the labor movement.
As a grateful citizen, I say 'Thank You' organized labor.
Solidarity Forever.
Happy Labor Day!
Monday, September 3, 2007
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
1967 Civil Disturbance In Detroit - A Different Perspective
This past week, Detroiters observed the fortieth anniversary of the 1967 Civil Disturbance. It was a recognition of an urban tragedy where 43 people were killed, many were left homeless and property damage exceeded $1 Billion dollars. The disturbance was a result of long-simmering frustration turned to anger turned to violence against the police and all governing authority. While the observation is a newsworthy event, what is more newsworthy, I think, is the reaction and response of the Virginia Park Community to the disturbance. After the smoke cleared and the damage was assessed, the leaders of the community embarked on the most ambitious re-building program in America at the time. The result, the HUD award winning, $41 million Virginia Park Community.
The community features town-houses and garden apartments along a tree-lined, divided boulevard now named after the "mother" of the civil rights movement, the late Ms. Rosa Parks. There is a $7 million community center named after one of the community pioneers, the late Mr. Joseph Walker Williams. 600 new housing units were created including the Lexington Village Apartment and Townhouse complex adjacent to Henry Ford Hospital. Constructed in the area was a fire station and two sit down parks, one named for the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The largest and most ambitious project built in Virginia Park is the Shopping Plaza. It is the result of a unique financing arrangement that had citizens buying bonds at $300 each to match a loan from the Equitable Assurance Company, the only company in America that would finance the bonds. The community now owns the shopping center outright. One of the very few in this country with total community ownership.
The reason for this commentary is simple. It is very easy to talk about bad things. Too often, bad things make good press. In the case of the Virginia Park Community and the 1967 Civil Disturbance, the good that has happened, clearly outweighs the terrible destruction and loss of life that occurred. I can offer this perspective because I was a teenager who lived in the community when it happened, a young man when the community was resurrected, and now, a seasoned man who appreciates what happened afterwards. As the former Executive Director of the Virginia Park Citizens District Council, the governing body spearheading the rebuilding, I spent many, many hours with the community's great pioneers. The entire project was conceived, constructed and completed during my tenure there.
Yes, there is a reason to celebrate. The reason is the vision, determination and achievement of a community of people that wanted a better life and struggled to get it. I was proud to be able to work with these fine folk.
What do you think??
The community features town-houses and garden apartments along a tree-lined, divided boulevard now named after the "mother" of the civil rights movement, the late Ms. Rosa Parks. There is a $7 million community center named after one of the community pioneers, the late Mr. Joseph Walker Williams. 600 new housing units were created including the Lexington Village Apartment and Townhouse complex adjacent to Henry Ford Hospital. Constructed in the area was a fire station and two sit down parks, one named for the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The largest and most ambitious project built in Virginia Park is the Shopping Plaza. It is the result of a unique financing arrangement that had citizens buying bonds at $300 each to match a loan from the Equitable Assurance Company, the only company in America that would finance the bonds. The community now owns the shopping center outright. One of the very few in this country with total community ownership.
The reason for this commentary is simple. It is very easy to talk about bad things. Too often, bad things make good press. In the case of the Virginia Park Community and the 1967 Civil Disturbance, the good that has happened, clearly outweighs the terrible destruction and loss of life that occurred. I can offer this perspective because I was a teenager who lived in the community when it happened, a young man when the community was resurrected, and now, a seasoned man who appreciates what happened afterwards. As the former Executive Director of the Virginia Park Citizens District Council, the governing body spearheading the rebuilding, I spent many, many hours with the community's great pioneers. The entire project was conceived, constructed and completed during my tenure there.
Yes, there is a reason to celebrate. The reason is the vision, determination and achievement of a community of people that wanted a better life and struggled to get it. I was proud to be able to work with these fine folk.
What do you think??
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Voting Rights Tampered With Again?
In a 5-2 decision, the Michigan Supreme Court has upheld a 1996 law that requires that voters provide picture ID or sign an affidavit when voting. The decision essentially overturns an opinion of former Attorney General Frank Kelley who declared the '96 law as violating the civil rights acts and voting rights acts, as well as the U.S. Constitution. The 1996 law was written in response to complaints of voter fraud. Although no voter fraud was ever found to exist.
This is only the latest attempt by the Republican Party to minimize the Detroit(Black) vote in state-wide elections. The Michigan Republican Party and its affiliated organizations have participated in efforts to over-scrutinize persons voting in Detroit election precincts in past elections. These organizations sent election day 'challengers' and 'observers' into inner-city precincts to challenge the registrations of legitimate voters at polling places throughout Detroit.
For all of its theatrics, the Republicans have never been able to demonstrate one incidence of voters attempting to or being allowed to vote under false pretences. Furthermore, the mere presence of these 'observers' and 'challengers' have caused more problems with their interference than the non-existent fraud that was alleged.
The strong Supreme Court vote along party lines is really an affirmation that Republicans are now officially returning to their practices of threatening and intimidation of citizens who have a legitimate right to the franchise of voting. The Supreme Court of Michigan was wrong in this decision. The Republican Party of Michigan should be ashamed of its self for supporting and participating in any action that would minimize or prevent any citizen from exercising his/her voting rights. It appears that today, however, both entities have successfully tampered with our voting rights once more.
What Do You Think?
This is only the latest attempt by the Republican Party to minimize the Detroit(Black) vote in state-wide elections. The Michigan Republican Party and its affiliated organizations have participated in efforts to over-scrutinize persons voting in Detroit election precincts in past elections. These organizations sent election day 'challengers' and 'observers' into inner-city precincts to challenge the registrations of legitimate voters at polling places throughout Detroit.
For all of its theatrics, the Republicans have never been able to demonstrate one incidence of voters attempting to or being allowed to vote under false pretences. Furthermore, the mere presence of these 'observers' and 'challengers' have caused more problems with their interference than the non-existent fraud that was alleged.
The strong Supreme Court vote along party lines is really an affirmation that Republicans are now officially returning to their practices of threatening and intimidation of citizens who have a legitimate right to the franchise of voting. The Supreme Court of Michigan was wrong in this decision. The Republican Party of Michigan should be ashamed of its self for supporting and participating in any action that would minimize or prevent any citizen from exercising his/her voting rights. It appears that today, however, both entities have successfully tampered with our voting rights once more.
What Do You Think?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
