Tag: strikes

Re: Organization

As a principle I like to be organized. When my thoughts are well structured I can get more things done. I try not to obsess about details but I can get anal when it comes to things being a certain way. The proverb, everything in its place and a place for everything has a lovely symmetry but it’s sometimes hard to keep in practise. I don’t feel organized being disorganized. Hence the conundrum.

Stepping outside my personal preferences, community organizations are built on plans, mottos, precepts, manifests, etc. The ways to shape a collective of interested parties start with a desire to belong to something bigger than the individual members. The goals maybe short term, like raising money for a cause, or long term, like challenging government policies. I’ve been involved to a lesser or greater extent in both durations of execution and been unpaid in all situations, unless you count the gratification found in helping others as being the reward. Volunteering must be valued for making any organization a success. It’s one thing to have lofty aspirations to inspire a collective of eager souls, it’s quite another to maintain the energy to fulfill the outcome.

A government is an organization. I’ve canvassed for political parties or for candidates whom I admire for their personal philosophy. Municipal government comes in many shapes and sizes; from the formally elected Council to local neighbourhood associations. There are opportunities to get involved. I get curiously attached to groups that step away from protocol when their governments aren’t listening to their needs. During the Winnipeg General Strike of 1919 an alternative governing mandate was created. The Black Panther Party founded in 1966 was a structured attempt for more community control by disaffected citizens.

Some organizations wish to maintain their status in time and place. Heritage groups for example, hold firm to tradition. Religious groups see themselves as separate from populist ruling structures. Many organizations are interested in action, even revolution. I was fascinated to learn of The Janes and their determination to circumvent existing birth control laws in the U.S.A.. An organization is only as good as its principles, mandate, or banner headline. Successful labour strikes by labour have strong organizing committees. A well executed plan brings confidence to the members. Communication is key for an all hands on deck response. For longevity it must have people with an ambition to make things better. In marches everywhere you may hear a similar cry: “Where do we stand? What do we want? How do we get it?”

Social media and .org websites have been a modern way to stimulate involvement in organizational frameworks. This applies to those who work for good or evil. Currently we are witnessing the rise of trumpism. This modern form of fascism has been wrapped in a clever disguise of lies, deception, obfuscation, and virtue signalling –– As well planned and executed as a Las Vegas magic show.

The Untied Nations, founded and organized to prevent WWIII, has been left with only words. This is entertaining for the few, while a tragedy for the many.

Re: Strike

One hundred years ago, in a Canadian city once referred to as ‘the Chicago of the North’, the working class had had enough. A general strike was called in Winnipeg with switchboard operators, called ‘Hello Girls’, being the first to refuse their labour. This work stoppage was the biggest and longest of similar strikes throughout North America. While the original intention was to seek redress for poor working conditions through collective bargaining, this strike soon included non-unionized workers, returning WWI soldiers and thousands of other people who felt disenfranchised. Much like today, those living in 1919 experienced a disgusting disparity between rich and poor: The few had much. The many had very little.

Strike is a word that conjures up decisive action. One of the first movie musicals I enjoyed as a child was ‘Strike Up the Band’ starring Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney cast as two young folks with enough energy to change the world, perhaps even take it over with their enthusiasm.

Striking can be subtle but still forceful. When someone in the fashion industry strikes a pose they are trying to capture a moment of body posture to maximize drama. In one of Madonna’s masterful music videos, ‘Vogue’ she works her image to maximum effect. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuJQSAiODqI

Strikes can be lucky if they connote finding gold, or unfortunate if they come in threes. My mom and dad were two pack a day cigarette smokers (to my knowledge they never indulged in Lucky Strikes). One summer afternoon, my father took me to a baseball game (this was a rare treat for me as my parents were part of the lower class). What I remember most was the abundance of cigarette butts that piled up around his feet. We stood and sang ‘Take me out to the ball game’ at the seventh inning stretch, yelling this line amidst Dad’s coughs, ‘and it’s ONE, TWO, THREE Strikes you’re OUT!’

I grew strong in spirit during my brief time as a Boy Scout. My favourite activity was camping. It was where I first learned to build my own fire. We were taught how to keep our matches dry so we could get the kindling going on the first strike. What I learned in my scout troop I applied with happiness to camping trips with my parents, and later as a young father of three boys. When it came time to strike camp there was always a sadness. Packing up the shelter that was our tent seemed too sudden a thing after we had spent such quality time under its protective embrace.

In the nineteen fifties, I learned about the hazards of a nuclear strike. In the event that missiles were launched in our direction we were taught to hunker under our school desks. What naivety! My nine year old self wanted to trust that my teacher knew how that bit of metal and wood would protect her students. My almost seventy year old self shakes his head when thinking how ignorant people can be.