A brief for the Women and Children
It is my contention that the Colorado Miners’ Strike was justified and necessary in the wake of blatant disregard of basic human right ordinarily and naturally inalienable to any human being. The abuse of the law, the interference with institutions both by the government and the private sector, the economic exploitation of the poor and the plunder committed by a system determined to achieve their selfish interests had to come to an end. Indeed, it is sad that nobody usually comes out to speak for the low class citizens who have to be ravaged and exploited by irresponsible capitalism. It is my contention that the Colorado Miners’ Strike was a brave and courageous consequence of women and men’s collective purpose, who though ordinary in nature, were determined to give a voice to the helpless, enable the demise of exploitation and save the future of the laborers in Colorado and by extension in the industry.
While the strike may have been a defeat for the level handedness of both government and the coal owners, it should be taken within the strides of women and children for their special contribution in fighting for the liberation from destitution. Notably, the contributions of Mother Jones, a remarkable child labour activist should be recognised alongside all the women that died in the massacre as well as those women who braved the corridors and inner walls of jails for the simple reason of fighting for a just course.
It should be noted that the economic plunder witnessed in the camps of the workers seen through the poor living standards, discrimination of the minority especially the negroes, abuse and misuse of power by the superintendents and the fact that political power had a direct correlation with economic power had all conspired to occasion a movement determined to reverse the status quo. This movement was manifested in the strike and propelled by the collective and common purpose of the labour union. The contribution of women and children cannot be gainsaid. Their sacrifices, deaths, bloodshed, cries and whispers for justice shall never go unrewarded. That labor conditions have since changed in the entire American industry should be attributed to such noble sacrifices. In the long run, given the attitude of the system, violence was justified and history needs to take account of this remarkable memory in American labor industry.
Works Cited
Zinn, Howard, Dana Frank and Robin G Kelley. Three Strikes:Miners, Musicians, Salesgirls, and the Fighting Spirit of Labor's Last Century. New York: Beacon Press, 2002.
