Labor Day is this weekend. For centuries laborers have faced oppression and struggled— poor pay, desperate working conditions, workplace abuse, slavery; (think Moses delivering the Children of Israel) Celebration of Labor Day was a long time coming; it became a federal holiday when President Grover Cleveland signed it into law, June 28, 1894 The labor movement began to open doors long before then. There were fears that pausing for a whole day to celebrate would weaken the nation.
It was largely Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who helped calm fears that a day of celebration for Labor would weaken the nation. He said, “The labor movement did not diminish the strength of the nation but enlarged it. By raising the living standards of millions, labor miraculously created a market for industry and lifted the whole nation to undreamed of levels of production. Those who today attack labor forget these simple truths, but history remembers them.”
The History Channel speaks of the horrors laborers faced centuries ago: In the late 1800s, at the height of the Industrial Revolution in the United States, the average American worked 12-hour days and seven-day weeks in order to eke out a basic living. Despite restrictions in some states, children as young as 5 or 6 toiled (emphasis mine) in mills, factories, and mines across the country.
In 1989, founder of Points Of Light, President George H.W. Bush, accompanied by Mrs. Coretta Scott King, signed the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday Commission Extension Act, . honoring Dr. King’s legacy each year on MLK Day. Points Of Light has the unique opportunity to reflect on the gains made. (Adapted from Points of light )
A reinforcement to the value of labor emerged as “MLK JR. DAY OF SERVICE a day on, not a day off.” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. believed in BUILDING THE BELOVED COMMUNITY . He gave his life serving others. He was in Memphis Tennessee, to march with their garbage workers against horrible working conditions, when he was assassinated. Now on Labor Day, following his example, millions of Americans serve on MLK JR. Day of Service. It has become “A DAY OF SERVICE—a day on, not a day off.” At our children’s schools, at a local shelter, or lending a hand to help our neighbors – we bring to life his vision of neighbors working together to build a better future.
The need to treat laborers fairly and appropriately, has deep biblical roots. Children of Israel were commanded to be fair to laborers. Another glimpse of laborers is in a graphic, cherished, story of a landowner’s care for widows and other poor neighbors. The practice was, at harvest time, gleanings were to be left for the poor, widodws, and the needy to follow in harvest fields and glean leftover or missed grain. Although the story has a far richer meaning, it is a glimpse of workers in that day.
The Apostle Paul, writing to the church at Corinth, after encouraging support of the work of Timothy, urged recognition for household of Stephanas; giving wide acknowledgement to their labors. Paul also spoke out, saying there is glory and honour and peace for every worker on the side of good. He went on to advocate against discrimination. This weekend we celebrate not only the value of work, but also that of all workers!