Internationale Solidarität!

[amw]

I went on strike today. It wasn't a full day strike because i wanted to be in the office for a meeting just after lunch, but after that i walked out. Of course, i can work flexible hours and did several hours work last Saturday so was probably due a few hours off anyway, but it's the principle. I made sure everyone knew my reasons, and must admit

Comments

[amw]

Hearing Americans talk about how being able to strike is a privilege has been a real eye-opener for me over the past ~36 hours. I think it really illustrates how completely capitalists have crushed the idea of workers' rights in America.

In other parts of the world, striking is still seen as a way for the majority poor to reassert power over the minority rich who normally oppress them. Certainly there is personal and societal cost involved, but that's the point - things have gotten so bad that striking is a risk people will take. Workers make a sacrifice because they believe that presenting a united front and collectively demanding an end to injustice is more important.

I don't judge individual Americans for choosing not to strike, because it's true that their uniquely terrible labor laws may make it harder than in other countries, but I do think it's important to address the idea that it is an action of privilege. I believe in saying that, people are very much missing the point of industrial action and playing right into the hands of the capitalist oppressors.

I can't say whether a mass general strike is the right way to affect change in America, or even if it's the best way to affect change at all, but it has been successful in the past and in other countries of the world. Given the original motivation for International Women's Day was to celebrate a historic strike by American women, why shouldn't American women celebrate and support the efforts of their sisters who are trying to apply the same techniques today? Bonus question - why are none of America's trade unions offering strike pay for women members who take part in this action?

Regarding the show you mentioned - no, I haven't seen that. I don't really think about being trans very much any more - I wasted far too much of my 20s agonizing over gender - but it's interesting to revisit the "community" every now and then and see how it has changed. I will keep an eye out.

A recommendation for you... have you ever seen any of Louis Theroux's documentaries? He has a fantastic show on BBC where he does gonzo journalism in small or unusual subcultures, especially in America. He did at least one show about parents dealing with trans children that was quite interesting.