Linksruck mit Jon Stewart

Auf Working-Class Perspectives gibt es einen Artikel über die Auswirkungen der Finanzmarktkrise auf die Arbeiterklasse/working-class. Ich wollte den Link zu 1930s Redux? The Working Class and the Economic Crisis zunächst einfach zu delicious stecken, fand dann aber insbesondere die letzten beiden Abschnitte so interessant, dass ich sie lieber poste:

Many have debated whether the current economic crisis parallels the Depression of the 1930s. Economic analysis aside, there may be a parallel cultural shift. In the 1930s, the American labor movement gained momentum, leftist politics flourished, and artists and organizers created what Michael Denning terms “the cultural front,” an array of art, film, music, and literature that reflects working-class perspectives. Those social movements worked together with economic policies to create political change.

We may well be on the brink of a similar transformation. While the labor movement continues to struggle, the AFL-CIO has started a grassroots organization, Working America, to engage people who don’t belong to unions in organizing for economic and social justice policies (more on this from Jack Metzgar next week). Voter registration patterns show a clear shift if not to the left then at least to the Democrats. “Rock the Vote” concerts, the popularity of “The Daily Show,” and the rising ratings for MSNBC’s left-leaning commentary programs suggest the convergence of politics and pop culture. So while the working class may suffer the most from the economic crisis, they may also have reasons to hope that it will bring real change.

Während Martin Booker auf eine Renaissance des Neoliberalismus zu hoffen scheint und ich dessen Ende heraufbeschwöre, verbreitet Sherry Linkon Hoffnung auf einen Aufschwung linker Kultur und Politik. Also wenn Jon Stewart mitmacht, bin ich auch dabei.

One comment

Comments are closed.