We have another update from Worker Power, where we recently funded a student so they could attend the Worker Power Leadership School. It looks like Worker Power will be sharing their weekly newsletter with us over the 4 weeks of Leadership School. This is the second I have received.
This is a helpful reminder to me that good things are happening, which will not only pay off in the fall but also in the years ahead,
You guys said you are interested in these, so here you go!
Reminder: One of the students from this year’s school will be leading the team we will funding for 3 weeks in the fall. We don’t know who our team leader will be in the fall, but won’t it be fun if it turns out to be one of the students that is featured here?
Excerpts from the newletter
Welcome to Field Notes, our newsletter highlighting students and faculty of the second Worker Power Leadership School, a month-long program dedicated to training the next generation of progressive leaders who will run winning campaigns for working people.
In this volume of Field Notes, we have a faculty spotlight on Shana L. Redmond, whose “Songs and Solidarity” class was a favorite for many Leadership School students, and a student spotlight on Aicha Tahirou, and Ken Hamilton, a program participant coming to us from UAW Region 6, shares some of his experience talking to voters.
Faculty Spotlight: Shana L. Redmond
Shana L. Redmond, an English and Comparative Literature professor at the Center for the Study of Ethnicity & Race at Columbia University, embarked on her commitment to the labor movement during her college years. Fueled by her passion for music and labor history, she began organizing what was then the Graduate Employees and Students Organization (GESO), now known as Local 33-UNITE HERE, during her time at Yale. As her dedication to organizing and labor deepened, she discovered the profound role of music as a powerful tool to unite and strengthen social movements.
Shana’s class combined all aspects of her life as an academic and organizer to give students an unforgettable experience: a class that melded labor history, an understanding of how labor is represented in popular culture, and concluded with students singing. “I think the singing is an organizing strategy, and I think the more we take it seriously as such, the better we’ll utilize it and understand it as this opportunity to build the movement,” says Shana.
In class, students contributed to a playlist of songs that motivated them in their organizing, then ended the day with writing verses of songs to speak to the current moment, and singing them together.“Singing becomes a microcosm for all kinds of important organizing questions. If I stand next to you and we both made the decision to sing the same thing, that opens up a conversation for us and an opportunity for collaboration that otherwise, did not exist,” explains Shana.
Student Spotlight: Aicha Tahirou
Aicha Tahirou, a UNITE HERE Local 274 member from Philadelphia, PA, brings a story of resilience and determination. Originally from Niger, Aicha found work in the US as a hotel housekeeper. Her journey took a turn during the pandemic when she became actively involved in her union’s political program, a role she has embraced with unwavering determination.
“I come from a country where no one cared what I had to say or who I was—I had no voice—but being a part of this movement has just been mind-blowing,” Aicha shares.
A union organizer thought Aicha would be perfect for the Worker Power Leadership School. Still, Aicha didn’t understand what she was getting herself into until she arrived in Arizona.
“The heat is no joke!” says Aicha. “If I were talking to others about coming to Arizona, first I would tell them about the heat, but then I would say, ‘If you want something, you have to fight for it. If you really want to be free, then you have to fight for it. If you don’t want to raise your voice, you don’t want things to change enough.’”Aicha’s voice, once silenced, has become a powerful tool for change. At the Worker Power Leadership School, she has shared her story of hope and resilience and also empowered others to take leadership themselves. Her actions, from jumping on the bullhorn in solidarity with workers to lifting the spirits of everyone who walked the line with her, have been a source of motivation for all.
“I’m hoping that my story will inspire others. I could be a silent immigrant and not care about whether people get better wages or healthcare, but I refuse to do that,” Aicha asserts. “I tell people: you have the power to change things. Do not give up on your power.”
Voices from the Doors: Ken Hamilton
Ken Hamilton comes to Leadership School through a partnership with United Auto Workers Region 6.
“I used to be a public defender before I felt the pull towards organizing, and in some ways talking to strangers at the doors feels like jury selection, because you’re talking to people from all walks of life and trying to get a sense of who they are. First and foremost, you’re listening closely to what they’re saying, who they are, and what is important to them.
You can’t try and convince someone of your case or your position on an issue without really listening to them first. You have to actually care.” – Ken Hamilton
As I said last week, the work we do on Balloon Juice with our fundraising efforts – supporting great groups like this who share our goals for the future – is a big part of what helps keep me grounded when the road gets rocky. I hope I’m not alone in that.
You can find this post and other reports from our organizations and even some of our BJ peeps in Reports from the Field at this link or by clicking on 2024 Activism in the top menu bar of Balloon Juice.
Open Thread.
RaflW
“I hope I’m not alone in that.”
You are not. For the past few months before the big shakeup, the organizing and funding we do (thanks in big part to you!) along with local work like for my friend Brienne in WI, is what kept me sane.
Still a lot to do! And I look forward to it with more relish now (though in the real world, I’m not a relish guy. Diced pickle-y stuff? On tubular meats? Ugh).
WaterGirl
Well, we might be alone in that since yours is the only comment in an hour!
WaterGirl
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WaterGirl
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RaflW
@WaterGirl: Huh.
Glad we could have this time together, at least. LOLsob.
Bupalos
“If you really want to be free, then you have to fight for it. If you don’t want to raise your voice, you don’t want things to change enough.’”
Like most here I can get despondent about the way America seems to be marching off towards complete indifference to things we know we can’t afford to be indifferent about. It can just make you feel terrible about the country. Then you see something like this from someone with this story…
thanks for these posts and thanks to BJ and all the juicers supporting these people. Sounds like it brings together people of very different backgrounds, I hope they’re having a great time together while learning to save the world.
Bupalos
btw is there a link for the full newsletter?
BlueGuitarist
@WaterGirl:
You are not alone! This is totally awesome!
Joy in FL
You are not alone.
Posts like these help.
BlueGuitarist
@RaflW:
Excited to hear that you are friends with Brienne Brown, who looks from afar like a great candidate who can flip a Republican-held assembly seat and get out the vote in an overlapping swing US House seat, and, of course help up ballot for US Senate and the Electoral College.
On, Wisconsin!
stinger
This is all so great, and now that I have a computer with a working audio, I hope to participate in more of the zooms with these folks. Thanks so much for your persistent work in this area, WaterGirl!
stinger
@WaterGirl: All the other jackals are probably in church. ;-)
WaterGirl
@Bupalos: That is the full newsletter, copied in full. It arrives by email, so no link.
WaterGirl
@RaflW: A virtual meetup of two! :-)
Though now I see that there are some late arrivals.
WaterGirl
@stinger: LOLOLOL
Luckily, i caught myself before I snorted. :-)
edit: I suppose RevRick is the exception that makes the rule.
RaflW
@BlueGuitarist: She’s freaking amazing. Bri is whip smart, funny, and a former Austinite (like me), and military brat. She’s got experience & name rec. being a city councillor, too.
She was optimistic and knocked a kadjillion doors two years ago in her first run (against the hand picked Repub selected by the goggle-eyed homunculus’s former lt. gov.). She’s out doing voter contact all the time now. The district is less red after the WI supremes ordered changes, so I’m quite hopeful.
BF & I are throwing a fundraising party for her on Aug. 27. I’m wondering how to get the word out to regional Juicers like Omnes without having to put our cabin’s coordinates all over the open intertubes.
WaterGirl
@RaflW: You could have Bj peeps write to me for the info. I could copy & paste in a reply like I do for the BJ zooms.
BlueGuitarist
@RaflW:
was going to say WaterGirl could set up contact, but of course she beat me to it
RaflW
@WaterGirl: Awesome, thanks! When we get the details firmed up, I’ll be in touch. This really is a full service blog. TY!
Mousebumples
@RaflW: not my area of the state, but still exciting stuff! Walworth County Dems (not sure if that’s her territory) are definitely doing postcards this fall.
We’re at a Brewers Class A minor league game today. Yay, tailgating!
RaflW
@Mousebumples: Yeah, we marched with the Walworth Dems in the July 4 parade in Brienne’s city of Whitewater.
They do a booth at the county fair, table at farmer’s markets, all kids of stuff. It’s a pleasure to volunteer with them.
Have fun at the game! I’m holding down the fort in Mpls at the moment.
WaterGirl
@RaflW: Just make the info clean and clear and all in one message so I don’t have to piece anything together. :-)
Just a quick copy & paste is what I’m looking for; that makes it super simple for me.
RaflW
@WaterGirl: Absolutely! It’ll be a very simple invite (but it’ll be a few days at least b4 we have the exact details set).
WaterGirl
@RaflW: Yeah, and I don’t think you want to announce too early because people are reluctant to commit early. Not sure what the best timing is, but I do know that it’s key. :-)
BlueGuitarist
@Mousebumples:
Enjoy the game!
Timber rattlers?
Do you have an opinion about Christy Welch for WI-A-88?
Jamie Wall for WI-S-30?
H.E.Wolf
I’ve been offline all morning to catch up with a lot of overdue tasks, and it was such a pleasure to log in and read this post!
I really appreciate the newsletters. Thank you for posting them.
The folks at Worker Power are making a difference with their actions… and it’s thrilling to discover how many more groups and individuals are stepping up at this moment in time. I’m glad to be adding my own small actions to this mighty river.
Mousebumples
@BlueGuitarist: yup, you’ve got it. I forget how hot it gets at a 1pm first pitch. We didn’t stay at the game that long and are finally back home now. It was fun, but hot! My kiddos had fun and are pooped now – like me!
And I’m not familiar with either of those either. I don’t think I’m in those districts either. I’m pro-Dem, but all the Dems on my ballot were running unopposed.
I’m really excited about Dr. Kristin Lyerly, who’s running for Gallagher’s open House seat. A female ob/gyn post Dobbs? I don’t know if this R+8 ish seat is flippable, but if anyone can do it, she can!
AJ of the Mustard Search and Rescue Team
I’ve been napping! This full time job is no joke, but I infinitely prefer it to the hard times of not working.
Ty WG for this inspiring post and all that you do 🙏🏻