Joe Hill
November 19, 1915, Singer Songwriter Socialist Joe Hill was executed on a murder charge. Now those that know me know I’m not a fan of Socialism, (Nothing which emanated from Karl Marx is worthy of even pissing on) however in an age like our own where American Corporations wield enough power to have Bolivian citizens thrown in jail for collecting rain water I can not stand with the mindless dogs extolling the virtues of Capitalism either.
As I’ve grown older and have gotten over the shallow wallowing mire that compels American youth to believe that they are some how entirely disconnected from the past, the future, and their fellow citizens, I’ve been forced to admit that I am in every sense of the word an American. But fortunately as an American I get to choose what that means. What I find is that every-time I go digging in the garden of the past the only fruit I find of any sweetness is the the fruit of the labor movement. It is always the fruit of the nar-do-wells who fought to bring us the 8 hour day, to remove men and women from sweat shops, and died trying to lead us out of the coal mines. These are the people that nourish my soul.
I must respect the organizational skills and the foresight of men such as Carnigie, Rockerfeller, and Vanderbilt. But when I gaze upon their achievements there is nothing to which I can relate. And as I look around the world today I can do not but assume that they gained their wealth in much the same way that men gain wealth and power today, by plunder and robbery. ( yes I know that there are good honest men and women who work hard and gain riches in honest value exchange ).
And so ultimately I must align myself in a lineage which includes people such asEmma Goldman, Mary Harris Jones, and Bill Haywood.
Anyway while I’ve little use for any American who whines about the economic unfairness of life in this country, especially those so ready to defame the immigrants who fill the jobs that we find either to unpleasant or difficult, it is difficult to ignore that the conditions which existed in the country during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s have simply been exported outside our borders.
Anyway enough rambling, all I really wanted to do is commemorate the American Labor movement today.
I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night, Alive as you and me. Says I "But Joe, you're ten years dead" "I never died" said he, "I never died" said he. "In Salt Lake, Joe," says I to him, him standing by my bed, "They framed you on a murder charge," Says Joe, "But I ain't dead," Says Joe, "But I ain't dead." "The Copper Bosses killed you Joe, they shot you Joe" says I. "Takes more than guns to kill a man" Says Joe "I didn't die" Says Joe "I didn't die" And standing there as big as life and smiling with his eyes. Says Joe "What they can never kill went on to organize, went on to organize" From San Diego up to Maine, in every mine and mill, where working-men defend their rights, it's there you find Joe Hill, it's there you find Joe Hill! I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night, alive as you and me. Says I "But Joe, you're ten years dead" "I never died" said he, "I never died" said he.