In addition to enjoying this celebratory picture, it's worth noting where I ran across it. The U.S. Department of Labor site has a rather nice history of the holiday. Somehow I don't think that would survive the implementation of Project 2025 under a Trump presidency ...
American labor has raised the nation’s standard of living and contributed to the greatest production the world has ever known and the labor movement has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy. It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pays tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation's strength, freedom, and leadership – the American worker.
• • •
Michael Kazin, an historian of the Democratic Party, makes an observation about Labor Day that I think we should remember:
There was a unique quality to Labor Day that set it apart from more universal, largely apolitical celebrations like Thanksgiving. Until the first observance of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, Labor Day was the only national holiday that a social movement both created and persuaded the state and businesses to honor. [I would point as well to observance of Juneteenth.]
So take to the streets or spread out your picnic blanket and sing some of these great labor songs.
This democracy of ours is more and more the fruit of people's movements built on top of the foundation laid by aspirational Founders.
No comments:
Post a Comment