Suffrage and labor activist Flora Dodge "Fola" La Follette (1882-1970), social reformer and missionary Rose Livingston, and a young striker during a garment strike in New York City in 1913. Photo courtesy of Library of Congress
As we all celebrate Labor Day, it is rarely ever mentioned that the upcoming Monday holiday exists to celebrate the beginning in the late 19th century of the Labor Movement in the US.
The history of Labor as a political force for equality and human rights is one that most of our schools teach perfunctorily, if at all, to younger generations of students.
In honoring the importance of those who work and continue to build our country, let us also honor our service women and men who keep us safe enough to be able to work.
I believe that there exists an unbreakable connection of mutual respect between our military members and the working people of the United States.
Let us remember what all devoted mothers teach their children, by repeating some version of this essential refrain with incessant repetition.
Those who belittle and berate those around them expose nothing about those they would belittle,
And everything about they who strive to bully or follow the bully who would belittle others.
Small people look out for themselves at the expense of others.
Those who strive to serve something bigger than themselves give life and relationships meaning.
Perhaps we should all keep this truth perched upon our shoulders as we sadly continue to watch abject Smallness on parade.
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