Tackling Working Class Racism Head On

I highly recommend this speech to the United Steelworkers by Rich Trumka, Secretary Treasurer of the AFL-CIO and former President of the United Mine Workers, addressing the issue of racism among working class people as an issue in the campaign. It's a real cri de coeur (a phrase I try to avoid around mine workers) against both racism and silence in its face.  When you watch something like this, you realize why the idea of strong unions terrifies the Republican Party. 

I was also struck by several references to creating clean energy jobs -- pretty cool coming from a UMW member.   

Comments

[oddjob]

OT: Florida's now in play. A poll released today has Obama leading.

[oddjob]

(Well, statistically tied, anyway! :-))

[Lisa Simeone]

Wow. Cri de coeur is right. Very emotional, very powerful.

(I'd send it to some of my USW-member, GI-Bill-New-Deal-benefitting relatives, but it would be pointless. They drank the Kool-Aid long ago.)

[Sir Charles]

Maybe coming from Trumka it would resonate. He's so clearly the genuine, been in the coal mines, article -- even if he does have a law degree.

[SDM]

I have immense respect for Trumka, he's very passionate and very smart.

[Lisa Simeone]

Sir C,

Alas, no. It won't matter. Believe me, they are beyond reach. I forget who it was who first said that some people inhabit an evidence-free zone. But whoever it was got it right.

[litbrit]

Holy shit, that gave me goosebumps. Thanks for posting it, C.

[oddjob]

I've known of him since the 80's (having gone to Penn State and having lived most of my life in Pennsylvania will do that, especially when you have a habit of noticing Slavic surnames - don't ask why; I have no clue), but I've never heard him before. This is very eloquent. Thanks for posting it!

[Sir Charles]

You're all quite welcome. I'm a huge fan myself. He spoke to a large group of union lawyers that I was in many years ago and really had us charged up -- and we're not the easiest group in the world to move. A lot of calluses.

[oddjob]

A lot of calluses.

LOL! Especially since 1980!

[Corvus9]

The left needs more spokespeople exactly like this guy. Actually we need to guys like this this guy way more prominent.

[Sir Charles]

One of my colleagues was noting how perfect Trumka is to deliver this message, both in terms of tone and looks. I described it as a "don't make me stop this car" tone. It gets the message across with a little cuff to the back of the head.

[Corvus9]

Dude, Sully

[Corvus9]

Er,

Dude, Sully totally ripped you off without giving you credit.

[Sally Segall]

Wonderful, inspiring speech by Rich Trumka. We need more speakers like him to speak the truth to the American people.

[Kermit]

This stirring speech is the real genuine voice of the heart of the American people. I have chills from hearing his honesty. Thank you Rich- I hope that the SWO will push very hard to have new rail systems built all over our country so that we can use this form of efficient mass transportation just as Europe and other developed nations have so that there are more jobs for Americans and that more people can travel without burning fossil fuels or using public highways.

[Dwayne]

AWESOME Speech!! Let's wake up AMERICA!

[Joy Barton]

Great Speech Great Idea. Spread the Word.

[BENNC]

GREAT TO SEE A MAN STAND UP.WILL PASS ON,YOU SHOUD DO ALSO.

[A G]

I'm mixed (black, dutch, german, and american indian) and I'm not voting for Obama. And it has nothing to do with race. Great speech, but no one man can change everything. IF we (Americans) were as passionate about standing up for what we believe in, 365 days a year, as much as we are about the election, we wouldn't have allowed half the crap they dish out of Washington. Why does it take a bad economy for people to get passionate. Oh cause they are getting hit where it hurts, their pocket book! "The love of money is the root of all evil" NOT money itself, but the LOVE of it. It's a shame that as long as people are getting paid and things are going well in their little world that anything goes in Washington, but now that things are going south, they scrutinize everything. No more of the same? News flash. That's all they know. Until there is complete reform of the way money is dealt with in our government, your gonna keep getting the "same" with a little different wrapping paper, that's all. Same gift, same present, just a different box. You can't bring a coutry into abundance, when you have trillions in debt and adding more daily with a new plan for this and that and money here and there?!? Who do we think is going to pay for all this? Our new president should be called Executive Spender. Cha Ching!

Sincerely,

T.O.E.S.
Tired Of Election Stuff

[Estelle Watts]

This speech should be heard by every American who cares about justice in this country. Other countries have seen and realized that America suffers when it pursues such nonsense as brainless racial discrimination. It's time for change America.

[jdub]

Great speech... but it's too bad that Mr. Trumpka, like most Americans, is deluded into thinking that there's a significant difference between one party or the other, between one candidate or the other. Oh sure, they banter back and forth over the so-called "issues" that we care about but, honestly, does anything ever really get done? How many of us voted Republican so that abortion could be outlawed? Is it? What about the economy? Economic cycles ebb and flow, we prosper for a time and then we don't. It has little to do with who's in office. The reality is that politicians, regardless of their upbringing or status, eventually become part of the elite wealthy class in our country and, despite what they say to placate those of us in the "working class," their main goal is to grab as much for themselves as they possibly can for as long as they possibly can. They have little other motivation to win an election. They don't really care about us! The same holds true for the supporters and benefactors of these politicians. It's all about "What's in it for me?!?" It's time we woke up and smelled the coffee... the rich are going to continue to get richer... and we will continue to foot the bill until we do.