Monday is Labor Day in the United States. Other than a long holiday weekend, what are we celebrating? According to the US Department of Labor, the first Labor Day was intended as a "workingmen's holiday." It is "a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country."Somehow I find the celebration of this holiday in stark contrast to the situation in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. While we are a mighty industrialized nation, it is hardly conscionable to celebrate the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country in the face of the nation's poorest becoming more destitute as they try to scrape together their future with the prospect of a 25% unemployment rate at best.
We must all labor for a future where the poor, huddled masses aren't left in the streets to die without water because they couldn't afford to leave a hurricane zone. We must labor for a future where disaster rescue efforts are not clouded with political posturing that impedes the ability to save lives. We all must labor for a present where the race card is not even in the deck and, therefore, has no consideration to even be played. And most importantly, we must labor for a present where life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness holds promise for everyone, even in the worst of times.
On this day of celebration of the achievements of the American worker, perhaps we can labor for something positive in the present to help build our future. Don't just open your wallet, but open your heart. Donate to your local chapter of a relief agency. Donate household items, clothing, your time, your skills to the Red Cross, Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, or any of the agencies helping the recovery efforts. Perhaps if we free up services locally, more can be focused where it is most needed right now. Don't complain about the recovery effort; remember it next time there is an election and make a point with your vote. In some way, let's all be part of the solution. That is certainly worth the labor.
