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A migrant cotton worker in 1940. Photo by Dorothea Lange, who memorably documented workers' struggles during the Depression.
The Hands of Laborers
On this May Day, as workers rally and protest and struggle to organize at once-invincible behemoths like Starbucks and Amazon, we pay tribute to all those who have come before. In the looking back, both mournful and inspiring, we also give thanks to those who documented their battles, from Dorothea Lange to Phil Ochs. From his little-known "Hands": "Now the hand of the laborer is reaching out to you."
May 01, 2022
On this May Day, as workers rally and protest and struggle to organize at once-invincible behemoths like Starbucks and Amazon, we pay tribute to all those who have come before, fighting for their, for all of our, basic rights. In the looking back, both mournful and inspiring, we also give thanks to those who recorded their battles, from Dorothea Lange documenting the Depression to Phil Ochs in his little-known "Hands." Pat Humphries covered it as well. From Hands, remember: "The hand of the laborer is reaching out to you." With hat tip to Joshua.
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Abby Zimet
Abby Zimet has written CD's Further column since 2008. A longtime, award-winning journalist, she moved to the Maine woods in the early 70s, where she spent a dozen years building a house, hauling water and writing before moving to Portland. Having come of political age during the Vietnam War, she has long been involved in women's, labor, anti-war, social justice and refugee rights issues. Email: azimet18@gmail.com
On this May Day, as workers rally and protest and struggle to organize at once-invincible behemoths like Starbucks and Amazon, we pay tribute to all those who have come before, fighting for their, for all of our, basic rights. In the looking back, both mournful and inspiring, we also give thanks to those who recorded their battles, from Dorothea Lange documenting the Depression to Phil Ochs in his little-known "Hands." Pat Humphries covered it as well. From Hands, remember: "The hand of the laborer is reaching out to you." With hat tip to Joshua.
Abby Zimet
Abby Zimet has written CD's Further column since 2008. A longtime, award-winning journalist, she moved to the Maine woods in the early 70s, where she spent a dozen years building a house, hauling water and writing before moving to Portland. Having come of political age during the Vietnam War, she has long been involved in women's, labor, anti-war, social justice and refugee rights issues. Email: azimet18@gmail.com
On this May Day, as workers rally and protest and struggle to organize at once-invincible behemoths like Starbucks and Amazon, we pay tribute to all those who have come before, fighting for their, for all of our, basic rights. In the looking back, both mournful and inspiring, we also give thanks to those who recorded their battles, from Dorothea Lange documenting the Depression to Phil Ochs in his little-known "Hands." Pat Humphries covered it as well. From Hands, remember: "The hand of the laborer is reaching out to you." With hat tip to Joshua.
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