This weekend the thought occurred to me that I really don't know exactly what Labor Day is. Sure I get the obvious, that it's a tribute to workers. But what workers? And who started it? When did it begin? Well after a little research here is what I found out.The first Labor Day holiday was in 1882 and the idea for it came from the Central Labor Union. The purpose was to give working people a day off. Yep, that's it, to give working people a day off. It became a legal national holiday in 1894.
So, the idea behind Labor day is not really that exciting or compelling. Some people just wanted a day off from work. Hmm well I'm sure if I thought hard enough I could find another excuse for a holiday, another day off a year would be nice. But I digress.
What really led me to think about the origin of Labor Day, other than it was approaching, was that there is no holiday or day that we remember the free labor of African Americans the were held in bondage in the United States.
I know that there is Juneteenth, but that day seems a bit tainted to me. After all it acknowledges a day that enslaved African Americans in Texas found out that they had actually been freed from enslavement three years earlier. What I'm talking about would be a day that "WE", all Americans would remember, commemorate, acknowledge the free labor of African Americans in this country and how that has been a key part of the economic success of this nation. A day where we would actually look at the forced free labor contributions, for instance, the building of the White House or how free labor helped corporate America get a foot up on the rest of the world.
I know it's not likely that there will be such a day. Everyone seems to be running from talk of the Enslavement of African Americans unless it's in the context of the negative effect it continues to have on current day African America. It's truly unfortunate that we as a nation have never really taken steps to come to terms with the Enslavement of African Americans. I think a day of thought and conversation would be a positive step for all of us.
But I'm sure that such a day will never happen. And when would we fit it in, what with Arbor Day and National Secretaries Day, and no I have nothing against trees or secretaries. My point is if we can take a day to acknowledge the existence of trees and the work of secretaries surely then we could find a day to consider the unpaid, forced work of millions of mostly nameless African American people.
3 comments:
Love this post! How many days do we celebrate for the randomness of being on the calendar and we have no idea why?!
People seem to live in extremes with regard to our ancestors enslavement and the everlastin effects. No real talk or discussion. It's either "blame the man" or "slavery was 400 years ago, not now!" The reality is that people are askin if Obama is "black enough" or wondering how long he will last, because this country was BUILT on the belief that African Americans are inferior.
janie,
Thanks!
We only talk as a nation about race when there is an event that forces us too, like Katrina.
With regard to Sen. Obama, I can't believe that's an issue. And what does that mean, is he black enough, seems to me the only criteria as to if someone is Black enough ought to be them acknowledging their Blackness. But there will always be regressive people around when it comes to race and politics.
janie,
Also I love that pic of Billie Holiday. In fact I'm using it in a post today.
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