May Day 2012

May 1st has long been viewed as International Workers Day. It’s origins trace back to the Haymarket riots in Chicago in 1886. While I’d question celebrating a riot that resulted in several deaths, it nevertheless is a day to commemorate the worker movement. This year in particular it has gained a lot of attention here in the US that it normally does not, thanks to the 99% Movement.

Actions are planned around the country, and the world,  to reinvigorate the 99% movement.  As would be expected, New York will be seeing a lot of events, as will Los Angeles.  A caravan of strikers through the city ending in the financial district should be interesting. I couldn’t find anything special planned for Occupy Houston, aside from participation in today’s general strike.

One effort is calling for a day without the 99%:

On May 1st, 2012, we are creating a new kind of holiday – A People’s Holiday – one that’s not just another flavor of consumerism, but which invites us to image a world beyond consumerism.

We ask you to do one of two things to commemorate this day:

• Don’t like what you do? Don’t do it. Take one day to do something you love instead.
• Love what you do? Do it for free. Take it to the next level and bring it to the public.

This is what it means to strike today. Join us as we imagine another way of living.

This is an interesting idea. Especially the part about doing something you love for free. That speaks to an aspect of the 99% movement that many people miss.  It’s about workers being able to respect what they do and be respected for what they do.  Money isn’t the ultimate motivator some would have you believe. It just happens to be a necessary component of surviving in our society.

So go out there and do something you love because you love it. Reject the need to do something for money, just for a day. Reject needing to do bullshit for money, just for a day. It’s not a philosophy that our society could suddenly switch to and function on, but it is an idea we need more of in our day to day lives. So take a holiday from the almighty dollar.

I write because I love it. So, in the spirit of the movement I’ll give away my writing for free today. If I were still on Kindle Select, I’d make my book available for free for everyone, but unfortunately, I don’t have that option anymore. So, if you email me today I’ll send you an e-copy of Aristeia: Revolutionary Right or my short story, Lonesome.