Europeans: “I don’t understand you Americans, if your working conditions, wages, and social safety net are so bad, why do you not simply unionize or strike?”
Americans:
Also there’s literally so many restrictions on unions and strikes at this point that striking on any significant scale is nearly de facto illegal
WHY HAVE I NEVER HEARD ABOUT THE LUDLOW MASSACRE, WHY WASN’T I TAUGHT THIS IN CLASS
my grandfather who helped unionize railway workers in the 30s told me about being shot at during strikes and union rallies.
Minneapolis is no stranger to bloody union busting. Some of my grandmother’s cousins were teamsters in Minneapolis on “Bloody Friday”when the flour mills and other businesses brought in the police armed with gatling guns. On July 20, 1934 “police took direct aim at the pickets and fired to kill. Physical safety of the police was at no time endangered. No weapons were in possession of the pickets.” Sixty-seven truck drivers and union supporters were injured, two men—Henry Ness and John Belor—were killed.
I had a short trip to Chicago this summer for the NNAF annual summit and I realized I never put any of my photos on here. It rained the whole weekend and I had a tight schedule, but I did get to barhop with other fund members, see a punk show headlined by a Texas band at a DIY space in Avondale, and spend last day of the trip roaming the city alone - which was deeply cathartic. I finally got to visit the AIC (and see The Picture of Dorian Gray) and the National Museum of Mexican Art (where I discovered my love for Carlos Cortéz). The energy of this trip was nice.
There are a lot of uncertainties right now that are weighing on me, but I know they will find resolution in time and that’s what I’m trying to focus on. But still, my heart is heavy. I didn’t expect 2019 to begin this way. I’m not even sure what I need. I’m in this limbo of hope for the new year and gratefulness for what I’ve been blessed with and excitement tangled with deep sadness and existentialism and fear. My thoughts are intrusive and chaotic, I don’t feel at peace but I also feel indifferent in a way that is alarming. I feel like my symptoms are manifesting physically. Increased heart rate, unfocused eyes, lack of concentration, trouble sleeping, lack of appetite, indigestion and nausea. I know I’m dehydrated but even basic self-care feels exhausting right now. I’m so indifferent. I’m so fucking sad.
