NE Ohio history in today's NY Times (Cleveland, Lordstown: health insurance, mortgages)

[jsmithson]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/06/op...e.html?_r=1&hp

"
The ’70s began on a remarkably hopeful — and militant — note. Working-class discontent was epidemic: 2.4 million people engaged in major strikes in 1970 alone, all struggling with what Fortune magazine called an “angry, aggressive and acquisitive” mood in the shops.
Most workers weren’t angry over wages, though, but rather the quality of their jobs. Pundits often called it “Lordstown syndrome,” after the General Motors plant in Ohio where a young, hip and interracial group of workers held a three-week strike in 1972. The workers weren’t concerned about better pay; instead, they wanted more control over what was then the fastest assembly line in the world.
Newsweek called the strike an “industrial Woodstock,” an upheaval in employment relations akin to the cultural upheavals of the 1960s. The “blue-collar blues” were so widespread that the Senate opened an investigation into worker “alienation.”
"

Yes in the 1970s NE Ohio was young, hip, and engaged in interracial and militant labor actions.

It was no coincidence the "Cleveland jokes" began shortly thereafter. The Establishment of the US was terrified of the growing political movement, and one response was contempt.

This historian has written a book on this era and is interviewed here by Joan Walsh:

When blue-collar pride became identity politics - Democratic Party - Salon.com

Whatever your politics, I think it would be great if this historian organized a major exhibit at the Rock Hall. There was a close connection between the development of Rock and Roll and the ups and downs of working-class America.

[citydudeallover]

I think most of us are today , Even those that make pick a (dollar amount) Are your mortgages paid off , you carry no credit card balance?
you have no car payment , no Health Insurance to pay for , because your company pays it . Tell me any ' White Collar " is not going to think twice , about saying take this job , and shove it . Not really going to happen today , Again The East Coast side kicks have something to say , and it is
like the truth ?

Originally Posted by jsmithson

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/06/op...e.html?_r=1&hp

"
The ’70s began on a remarkably hopeful — and militant — note. Working-class discontent was epidemic: 2.4 million people engaged in major strikes in 1970 alone, all struggling with what Fortune magazine called an “angry, aggressive and acquisitive” mood in the shops.
Most workers weren’t angry over wages, though, but rather the quality of their jobs. Pundits often called it “Lordstown syndrome,” after the General Motors plant in Ohio where a young, hip and interracial group of workers held a three-week strike in 1972. The workers weren’t concerned about better pay; instead, they wanted more control over what was then the fastest assembly line in the world.
Newsweek called the strike an “industrial Woodstock,” an upheaval in employment relations akin to the cultural upheavals of the 1960s. The “blue-collar blues” were so widespread that the Senate opened an investigation into worker “alienation.”
"

Yes in the 1970s NE Ohio was young, hip, and engaged in interracial and militant labor actions.

It was no coincidence the "Cleveland jokes" began shortly thereafter. The Establishment of the US was terrified of the growing political movement, and one response was contempt.

This historian has written a book on this era and is interviewed here by Joan Walsh:

When blue-collar pride became identity politics - Democratic Party - Salon.com

Whatever your politics, I think it would be great if this historian organized a major exhibit at the Rock Hall. There was a close connection between the development of Rock and Roll and the ups and downs of working-class America.