Chapter 2: In what ways do people mobilize to demand action from government?
Throughout history many people have made challenges against the American government and people in power. In order to get what someone might want they must work for it. In my last chapter I stated “The government today does not focus on all of the people of the United States. As a result people of color in poverty in the US don’t feel supported by the government and have negative attitudes towards it.” When this happens most people do not do anything, but some decide to fight for what they deserve. When the government fails to take care of its citizens, the people should retaliate and use action to get what they need, want and deserve.
“You can’t get social change or social justice without confronting.”
A recent example of the people fighting back for what they deserve is the Walmart employee strikes. Thousands of Walmart employees went on strike around the time of Black Friday, in cities across the United States. Demanding better pay and protesting the firing of those who previously demonstrated against the company, the largest private employer in the country, with 1.3 million workers. Many Walmart workers earn the minimum wage, which varies from state to state but typically hovers near $7 to $8 per hour. Workers and supporters are calling for an end to illegal retaliation, for Walmart to publicly commit to paying $25,000 a year and to provide more full-time work. Dorothy Halvorson, Walmart employee in Placerville, California, who has worked at the store for 11 years said, “We refuse to live in fear. And we refuse to accept scraps. That’s why there have been so many strikes and protests this month. We know that we are closer to change at Walmart than ever before – and it’s clear that Walmart knows it too. We won’t stop protesting until we get change. This Black Friday is historic, and we will only grow stronger from here.” This is a perfect example of the people fighting back. When someone in power does not take care of their people, the people strike back. Reverend Jesse Jackson said, “The civil disobedience by Walmart workers and supporters across the country is a testament to the immense courage of these workers fighting for dignity, respect and a decent wage — the same things that working people have marched and rallied for in this country for decades. The civil rights movement of the past called for workers to be free and equal. Walmart workers today are free, but far from equal. The company has lost its way, and it’s an honor to support workers taking this powerful moral action to get Walmart on the right path.”
In the past the citizens of America have fought for equality and freedom. Why is it the we have to fight for the same things over and over again in this country? Why is it that the people who do not make as much money get the short end of the stick when it comes to fair wages? People of the Walmart community said “We envision a future in which our company treats us, the Associates of Walmart, with respect and dignity.We envision a world where we succeed in our careers, our company succeeds in business, our customers receive great service and value, and Walmart and Associates share all of these goals.”
In the past the citizens of America have fought for equality and freedom. Why is it the we have to fight for the same things over and over again in this country? Why is it that the people who do not make as much money get the short end of the stick when it comes to fair wages? People of the Walmart community said “We envision a future in which our company treats us, the Associates of Walmart, with respect and dignity.We envision a world where we succeed in our careers, our company succeeds in business, our customers receive great service and value, and Walmart and Associates share all of these goals.”
Another example is the Young Lords. Iris Morales explains The Young Lords as a group of “Puerto Rican and Latino/a communities that fought for economic, racial and social justice. From Chicago streets to the barrios of New York City and other urban centers, the Young Lords emerged to demand decent living conditions and raised a militant voice for the empowerment of Puerto Ricans and other Latino/as in the United States and for the independence of Puerto Rico.” At a crossroads in US history, the Young Lords fought for human rights of Puerto Ricans and other oppressed people. Known for bold actions and dramatic protests, they brought attention to the dire conditions that people were living in the 1960s and 70s paving the way for progressive changes. The book about the Young Lords Party, Palante, explains the Young Lords as a group of young, primarily Puerto Rican, activists established the Young Lords chapter in New York City taking inspiration from the Black Panther Party and the Chicago Young Lords. Organizing directly in New York City communities, the Young Lords took up issues from the lack of affordable housing to police brutality, did street garbage clean ups, ran "serve the people programs," and did door-to-door health care. Dramatic takeovers of institutions brought media and public attention to the socio-economic and political situation of Puerto Ricans, African Americans, and other Latino/as. The Young Lords are people that fought in many ways for equality and freedom. They did not feel supported by the government or the people in charge in their cities. So they made the people in charge support them. Click on link below to see the Young Lords documentary:
Because of different views on budget, disagreements and materialism in the government, people of color in the US don’t feel supported by the government and have negative attitudes towards it. They feel as though the government today does not focus on all of the people of the United States. As a result of this, people need to come together and fight for what they want and deserve.
Media Presentation
By: Morgan Taylor
Citations:
Jazeera, Al. "Walmart Workers Strike in 15 U.S. Cities to Demand Better Pay." (2013): n. page. Web. 8 Jan. 2014. <http://www.occupy.com/article/walmart-workers-strike-15-us-cities-demand-better-pay>.
"Meet the Family." Walmart 1% The People Behind the Walmart Empire. (2012): n. page. Web. 8 Jan. 2014. <http://walmart1percent.org/family/>.
Morgan Taylor. Notes from Class. Handwritten File. Dec. 12, 2013
"¡PALANTE, SIEMPRE PALANTE! The Young Lords."Latin@ Education Network Service. (2003): n. page. Web. 8 Jan. 2014. <http://palante.org/index.html>.
Jazeera, Al. "Walmart Workers Strike in 15 U.S. Cities to Demand Better Pay." (2013): n. page. Web. 8 Jan. 2014. <http://www.occupy.com/article/walmart-workers-strike-15-us-cities-demand-better-pay>.
"Meet the Family." Walmart 1% The People Behind the Walmart Empire. (2012): n. page. Web. 8 Jan. 2014. <http://walmart1percent.org/family/>.
Morgan Taylor. Notes from Class. Handwritten File. Dec. 12, 2013
"¡PALANTE, SIEMPRE PALANTE! The Young Lords."Latin@ Education Network Service. (2003): n. page. Web. 8 Jan. 2014. <http://palante.org/index.html>.