blog 5

Workers didn't have any rights while they were on the job.  They were seen as objects and that could be used in any way, shape or form in order to meet demand.  The age of workers did not matter to companies and they forced employees to work 10 hour days; often without bathroom breaks and barely enough time for meals.  Injuries and death were a daily occurrence.  And replacements were a simple answer to any death or out of line employee.  Thus, during the 1920s, unions and their employers begin battling for dominance and control over wages, time of a work day, standard of living, and health insurance/benefits options.  This would be the start of the American Labor Movement.  Like every movement, it must be centered around not only an idea, but an individual or group of individuals who are able to lead to way and keep morale high.  And it can be said that for the American Labor Movement, this person was man by the name of Joe Hill.  No single person contributed more to the development of the genre of political music in the American labor movement than Joe Hill.  His legendary career began with taking shape with his continuous travelings across the country during the beginning of the 20th century.  It was during this time that he became disillusioned with what was known as the "American dream."  He quickly realized that America was far from a place of equality and opportunity.  He would join the Industrial Workers of the World (Wobblies) in 1910.  He had numerous musical compositions relating his disappointment with the American workforce.  His work was so well known that there were even songs written about him.  One of which is this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8Kxg9uFDes.  Here, Paul Robeson discusses the legend that is Joe Hill.  And that even though it has been years since his death, his songs and their meanings continue to live on and continue to have to ability to rally people together for this important cause. It was his songs and melodies that people knew at this point in time. And as we've discussed before, a song as the power to cross multiple barriers and help empower people more than even the best speech and speaker.  


All in all, music was the underlying thread of the American Labor Movement.  This is explained in Courtney Brown's, "Industrialization and the Rise of Labor Music."  At this time, there was no better way to empower the masses or spread the word than through music.  And it was the coordinated distribution of so many of these songs; including Joe Hill's, by the Wobblies that helped give some organization and structure to this massive and widespread movement.  In his interview, Joe Glaze discusses the importance of music and its involvement in the movement (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaQ7qWo6120).  In my opinion, it was his statement that music supplied them with an "extra weapon."  That music had the ability to touch people's souls; and that it touched not just the brain, but the heart.  


One of Joe Hill's more widespread composition is "Pie in the Sky."  Performed here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhhzElzTZJw by Ani DiFrance and Utah Phillips, this song is a look at the efforts of those trying to sell religion to the poor people.  The overlying theme was that anyone buying into this was being tricked and deceived.  That rather than working hard and providing for your family,the only way to find true happiness and salvation was through these forms of payments.  This song has lasted as long as it has and has been performed by numerous contemporary artists because of its message that still holds true today.  He is poking fun at these religions because the only way to find happiness and success is through hard work and dedication.  This falls in line with America today as well.  If one dedicates themselves to something and works hard for it, then some good will come out of it whether it be a high salary or simply being able to provide for your family.  All you can do is work hard at whatever you're doing.  There are no short cuts, not even today.  And I feel as though this song is a perfect reminder of that.


   

Diversity Appreciation

America has always been known as the place to find happiness.  Happiness can be found in many ways and through various pathways.  Since the focus of this article is diversity, I will touch on success and respect.  Most people associate happiness with success as success often leads to respect from peers, money, and satisfaction.  While the latter two are often much more objective than the first and thus easier to measure, it is the respect from peers that comes into play when discussing the issue of diversity.  The more diverse an individual or community, the more knowledgeable they are, respectable they are, and understanding they are.  It is this knowledge, respect, and understanding that provides the basis for friendship as well as the ability to come together and make use of everyones strengths and ideas.  It is much harder for an individual to be happy if they feel like they aren't being given a certain level of respect or they aren't understood in terms of culture.  It is my feeling that the 9/11 tragedy wiped away the basis for friendship and understanding that I mentioned earlier.  This led to the fear and distrust of people who were once friends and neighbors.  While rebuilding this would obviously take time it is something that must be done in order to rebuild communities and lives.

The Staten Island community took various steps in order to strengthen its ideas and appreciation for diversity.  The New York Center for Interpersonal Development (NYCID) and Celebrate Diversity! were vital in bringing back the Staten Island community.  The events and plans were very well thought through from the very beginning.  They understood that the problem must first be brought to light.  If the people didn't realize that there was a problem or chose not to even acknowledge the problem, then nothing could be done in the first place.  Once this was accomplished, they turned to simple education about the problem.  This involved monthly events that helped individuals learn about each other's culture and its practices.  This in my eyes was the beginning of the rebuilding process.  They also held the annual event of Celebrate Diversity!  The main issue here was gaining support for the event.  Funding, advertisement, events, and attendance all needed to be addressed.  Backing was obviously received and it was their next move that impressed me.  They reached out for students to not only attend the event, but to help organize it.  This eventually required working together and exchanging ideas.  They learned to work with each other, understand each other, and ultimately respect each other.  So as I said, they was a very intelligent move on their part.

The diversity at Westminster College can be felt as soon as someone steps foot on this campus.  A closer look; however, reveals that even though we are diverse, we are not one.  We have trouble understanding other cultures.  And it is this lack of understanding that makes it so difficult to develop even a minor form of friendship.  In my opinion, I say we follow the footsteps as done in the previous paragraph.  There are organizations on campus; like the International Club, that promote diversity, but attendance is lacking when it comes to the domestic students.  What must be done is a collaborative effort between, say, the International Club and Stufo.  Its the "behind the scenes" interacting that will be most beneficial.  Students of different races and cultures will be forced to work together in the planning, set up, and execution of the event.  This will be the start of friendship outside these organizations on a more casual level.