‘Raise Your Voice’ Archives
One Day”¦
By Peter Molenaar March17, about 3:10 p.m”¦. Picked up Camila for a 3:30 rendevous with CTUL. Camila is a “red-diaper baby” of Chilean descent, recently returned from a tour of Cuba. Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en la Lucha (CTUL) is a worker”'s center which rallies the community in support of vulnerable low-wage workers.  We drove down Lake Street to the Uptown McDonald”'s. It was protest, not burgers which moved us to follow our bold leaders. At long last the chanting brought forth a manager. We then politely requested decent wages and respect for all workers”¦ Hey”¦ There are some 13,000 McDonald”'s in the U.S. There is “a family of 2,400 owner/operators.”  To join the “family,” a minimum of $300,000.00 of non-borrowed personal resources is required, with a minimum 25% down. So, with 36,000 McDonald”'s on the planet (enough already!), I suggest we place our [...]
Our Planet Spins
By Peter Molenaar Numerous Ward 9 activists will recall the elongated moment which delivered the DFL endorsement to Alondra Cano on her initial bid for a City Council seat. The democratic spirit had prevailed in recognition of her competence”¦or so it seemed. Ty Moore and the Socialist Alternative were then determined to mount a vigorous challenge. Note: The local Communists wondered why a “socialist” would oppose the ascendancy of a progressive Mexican-American. Moreover, Ty”'s call for a $15/hour minimum wage appeared (at the time) as “easier said than done,” to put it mildly. But things change. On February 16th of this year, it was Ty who held center stage, with Alondra as his guest. Well over 100 activists had gathered at the United Labor Centre for a “$15 now” rally. In turn, Alondra spoke of her family background and then, speaking directly to the master of ceremonies , she reconciled the past and committed her support. As [...]
Against Hate Speech
By Peter Molenaar My father”'s recent “cardiac event” made time for the two of us to revisit family history. Ancestors had been burned at the stake or otherwise repeatedly dunked under water until dead”¦and the bullies of childhood left marks as well. Nonetheless, in his medical practice, father treated religious people with devotion. Why then did that man on TV say: “No woman should even consider dating an atheist, given that such a man must lack a moral compass.” Forgive me, please. None of us is at war with God. Father believes consciousness is a product of the evolution of matter. Sentient life forms are recognized, while human consciousness is acknowledged as most precious. Secular humanism is then the basis of his morality. (more…)
