‘Raise Your Voice’ Archives
Raise Your Voice – Two prophecies
By PETER MOLENAAR Acquaintances from the Occupy Movement of the Great Recession were, by chance, encountered recently at the Pow Wow Grounds Coffee shop on Franklin Avenue. Anita and Troy are a Dakota mother and son. As it happened, Anita would offer her take on my May Alley piece: “Seven Generations”. In Anita”'s view, ”˜seven generations”' invokes a prophecy more so than a moral premise. Pointing to her son, a medical student, she declared: “Here is the seventh generation!” Such is the nature of the first of our two prophecies. Note: We are now seven generations removed from the concentration camp at Fort Snelling. (more…)
Raise Your Voice – Seven Generations
By PETER MOLENAAR The “7th generation” principle, taught by our Native American neighbors, says that in every decision we make, we must consider how it will affect our descendants seven generations into the future. This approach seems to have worked well for a people who have demonstrated 10,000 years of staying power. As for me, I look backwards to immigrant great-grandparents, and do my best to see the “3rd generation” yet to be. (more…)
Raise Your Voice ”“ Bullies Among Us
By PETER MOLENAAR Let the neighborhood know that the Franklin Street Bakery has been under investigation for reportedly violating workplace rights. The National Labor Relations Board has found merit to some 50 violations of Federal law, such as confiscation of pro-union literature and prohibiting workers from speaking about the Union (Bakers”¦ Local #22) during break times. What should we call an employer who routinely hires vulnerable immigrants and then deploys intimidation to thwart union certification drives? Accordingly, Local #22 supports a path to citizenship and endorses the movement for immigrant rights. (more…)
