First of May: is not over yet? by Yahal Porat
In the past, this date was to mark the holiday of the workers. Back in 1884, in the USA, it was the first time that workers went to demonstrate. Their demand back than was very simple: to shorten the workday to an 8 hours day. Two years later, the demonstrations became violent in Chicago. A few years after that, the international working union decided to mark May 1st to commemorate the violence that occurred.
Since 1890, the 1st of may is a celebration day for all those who see themselves part of the working class, or supporting the struggle of those who happen to have less, and in order to achieve some equality and social justice.
In Israel, May 1st became a true holiday mainly because of the ruling party Mapai, a socialist-working class party. But during the 90’s, mainly after the fall of the communist regimes in the east, the day was not a special one any more.
Our sister movement, Hanoar haoved, and other movements with similar agenda's, are still celebrating the day. While on shnat some of you probably had, or will have, the chance to take part in one of the parade's in Tel Aviv or another city. Those parades are to remind everyone about the injustice and the need still to change the current situation.
In the last election, only a month ago, the labour party decided to try and win by using a different agenda – the society and its social conditions.
It did not have any major successes – the labour did not gain any more power than they had before the elections.
In Israel it is like here: the globalisation brought many different affects. One of them is the adoption of capitalistic brutal system of monetary. That has caused many to work harder then before, earning less. The capitalistic system had created an ongoing need to achieve more – in order to have a “better life”, selling the dream to the middle-working class. But that dream can never be fulfilled – there is always more to aspire, more to want, more to buy. This is the only way an economy of liberal-capitalist country can flourish – growth.
But that created a lot of problems, mainly widening gap between the rich and the poor, if not to mention the third world countries, which were left behind.
Maybe the first ought to be the time to protest about the wrong doing of today’s economy. This should be the day to remind ourselves why we in HDUK are socialist:
Because we call to a better just division of goods; because we call upon helping those who are not capable to have a normal food, by their country and by everyone; because we believe social justice, fair play, good education, better health and the right to live decently are universal.
And because we believe we can change.
Do you believe? What is HDUK doing this May 1st?
For more info:
http://www.londonmayday.org/
http://mayfirst.org/ |
