Dr King Continues To Inspire Us To Reach For The American Dream With Equality For All

[Omaha Steve]

http://nhlabornews.com/2013/01/dr-king-continues-to-inspire-us-to-reach-for-the-american-dream-with-equality-for-all/

By Matt Murray | January 20, 2013 | Labor, Union



What can I say about one of the greatest teachers of our time? Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was not only our country’s greatest civil rights activist, he taught us in the labor movement that we are all connected, that workers’ rights are human rights.

No matter our race, or religion – all the millions of working families in our country are looking for the same thing. It used to be called “The American Dream”. We all want to have enough money to live in a decent home, enough that we don’t have to worry about paying for food or paying the heat bill. We want to raise our children in safe neighborhoods with decent schools. We want to have time outside of work, to spend with our children and get involved in our communities. We want to live a full life and then be able to retire with dignity.



But in recent decades, the workers of this country have not been able to rise up and reach for that Dream. Instead, we have been pushed down: through stagnant wages, and increased productivity. Through outsourcing and layoffs. Under-employment and unemployment. Through the mantra that “you’re lucky to even have a job.” Steelworker, waitress, adjunct professor, custodian: we all share that same American Dream. We are more alike than different. This is the one thing that unions and union members have understood for hundreds of years.

Back in the 1960s, when unions represented more than 50% of the workforce, things were much different. Wages were not excessive, but they were fair. Families could have one parent at home and still afford that nice new GM car, and the house with the white picket fence.



FULL story at link.

About Matt Murray
Matt Murray is the creator and an author on the NH Labor News. He is a union member and advocate for labor. He also works with other unions and members to help spread our message.