The deprivation of World War II raised expectations for a better world. Yet the same oppressions continued: colonialism, exploitation, racism, sexism, and war. The result was a global explosion of revolt, as millions of people challenged the existing order and won important reforms. What we did before, we can do again. Slide show (below) View in pdf format here.
Freedom-Battles-of-the-1960s-and-70s
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Inequality, racism, sexism – these social sources of sickness helped to build the wealth of nations, and they continue to build and maintain that wealth, despite the tremendous suffering that results.
Dr. Susan Rosenthal debates the psychological impact of the pandemic with Helen Fishburn.
“Return To Normal?” That Titanic sailed months ago
Thanks for the amazing visual reminders Susan. Unions and social movements today could be using these images to remind their members/participants of their rich history of successful struggle!
Wow, great inspiring graphic history lesson! Pictures worth a thousand words. So many brave people. Takes a village to raise the system’s roof! Many thanks Susan. Great encouragement. I believe the translation of hope into the actions of thousands and thousands of people, who then change the world for the good of all, remains the most inspiring and important human endeavor to date. Instead of going to Mars, this is where we need to be going, and urgently. Where are the scientists devoted to understanding how to ensure the successful landing of this most important Enterprise? I consider you one of them. Thank you Susan!
Susan, as I travel the world, I see the worsening conditions of working-class people in every country. At the same time, I see even the poorest with cell phones, constantly online, constantly talking.
When television came into every home streaming a constant barrage of consumer products for workers to buy, buy, buy, I began to wonder why this medium was not used to advance society. Historically, as shown in your slide-show, when revolutions and protests have broken out, workers have seized media outlets, but the military arm of whichever ruling class was in power have intervened.
The technology is in everyone’s hands, in everyone’s home. Organizing should be easier. While the internet has been used to organize in Egypt, Greece, Hong Kong and elsewhere, it is also a vast shopping centre or medium for narcissists.
Workers of the world have the means and the mediums but not the organizations to make permanent change happen. Workers’ parties in every country are necessary to overthrow the existing powers globally. This must be an international movement because the world’s ruling classes will join forces to put down a worker’s revolution in any country, as they did in Russia in 1917.
Photos such as those you have shared show that workers can gather together to demand change. Unions are a start, but not a finish. To effect permanent change, workers need to build their own parties.