[Author][Professor][Subject][Date of Submission]
The play “Waiting for Lefty” written by Clifford Odets and the 1954 movie “On the Waterfront” revolved around social realities. The said social realities are focused on the issues faced by the workers since the 1930s to the 1950s. In the two stories, they portrayed the difficulties of forging collective actions. Waiting for Lefty for instance portrayed the internal struggles of workers in forging solidarity to wage a strike to fight for living wage and dignified working conditions. On the Waterfront on the other hand portrayed the fear-stricken workers who chose to be silent in order for them and their families to live longer.
Joe in Waiting for Lefty is a worker working for ten hours a day and earns only eighty cents. Joe knows that it is an injustice for him who is exerting almost all his strength for work, but is only receiving an ample amount of money that cannot even afford a family’s meal. At that time, there is a discussion if the workers should wage a strike against the company they are working. Joe tried to convince the workers union that they need to unite and wage a strike which is only the way that they can fight for their rights. The crowd shouted at him labelling him as a communist. He however explained that he is not a communist and in fact, it is their family’s situation that is pushing him to join a strike. He even mentioned that his wife, Edna is supportive of the plan to strike. In this scenario, the collective decision on whether or not to wage a strike is clouded by the issue of red tagging. Because the union members do not want to be labelled as communists, their decision to assert a just wage and dignified working conditions is clouded. Their unity as a union was also weakened because their elected leader named Lefty is missing. They have been waiting for him to decide.
It was only when Agate, a brave young worker spoke before the union and challenged the leader and its members. He said that if it is a communist principle to strike, then so be it so long as they are united to push for their rights as workers. He added that their only strength is the strong unity and solidarity of other sectors in order to win the fight. He even mock the union of wasting time with the fear of red tagging while their major problem is how to assert their basic rights which is the living wage. Agate bravely told the union not to wait for Lefty and hold the strike already. The workers finally agreed to strike when in the middle of Agate’s speech; somebody entered and announced that Lefty was found dead. Agate then agitated the workers and called for a strike.
Meanwhile, in the movie, On the Waterfront, a racketeering “union” in New York’s waterfront lead by Johnny Friendly is controlling the dockworkers. It is a gangster that uses tyranny in controlling the docks in the area. They committed crimes including murder but nobody spoke about it because of fear to be killed. Joey Doyle, one of the dockworkers was planning to squeal before the Waterfront Crime Commission regarding a crime that he witnessed. He was not able to appear as a witness as he was already killed. Terry Malloy, also a dockworker and is carrying our odd jobs for Johnny Friendly witnessed the killing of Joey. He wanted to squeal regarding the killing but he chose to avoid the investigators. He was still confused because of his personal safety.
It was not the first time that such kind of crime happens in the waterfront. The workers and the community however remain silent because of fear. Despite the encouragement of parish priest, Father Barry for them to stand up and speak, they remain quiet. In the film, the characters always tell their relatives to stay “D and D” or deaf and dumb. In this way, they believe that they can still live. Johnny Friendly and his gang have instilled fear among those that they are controlling. It is through instilling fear that they avoid the workers to speak together and forge solidarity. They know that once the workers are united, the gang will be dismantled.
It was when Charley Malloy was murdered by Johnny Friendly’s gang that lead Terry with the help of Father Barry to testify before the crime commission. Terry was able to implicate Johnny on Joey’s death. In the end, Terry’s spectacular courage was able to unite the dockworkers against the racketeering gang. Both of the stories are clear evidence that lowly class like the workers are more powerful than the power-that-be once united and act collectively.
As a youth, I have experienced being torn in two difficult decisions. I am certain that I can land into a good paying job once I graduate. I was however caught in a crossroad deciding on whether to work as a full time youth organizer with very low salary or hunt lucrative jobs. I end up choosing the first one after several months of weighing. Until now, I am happy with my decision as I am helping in awakening the minds of young people.
Works Cited
Odets, Clifford. “Waiting for Lefty.” The New School History. (1979). Web. 26 Oct. 2014.
“On the Waterfront.” The Filmsite Movie Review. (2014). Web. 26 Oct. 2014.
