Happy Terkel Day

Well, why wouldn't we rename Labor Day after Studs?

He wrote Working, which gave workers the dignity of their own eloquence, he defended workers his whole life and never stopped working himself until his death last fall at 96.

He also narrated this film, "Can't Take No More," about workers' health and safety. Created and distributed by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration in 1979, it was promptly banned by Ronald Reagan's OSHA in 1981. Most copies were destroyed.

But not all.

Have a safe Terkel Day, Chicago.

David Murray blogs regularly at Writing Boots.

Comments

[LMPE]

Studs Terkel was one of the most American individuals ever.

[SUSANINCOLUMBIA]

Who will step up and take Studs place?

[strick9]

We all miss Studs, but a more interesting thing I noticed was that the Republican hero Ronald Reagan's OSHA banned it and nearly succeeded in destroying it. That alone should make it required viewing for all workers. It shows examples of how important our lives are when it comes to their profit margin. When we achieve worker and environmental protections, they move production off shore to exploit someone else as the reduce our country to third world conditions. Not meaning to sound paranoid, but elite mercenary armies with equipment equal to our own only interested in the bottom line feeling that they are above the law.

[ShinjiIkari]

A truly righteous dude. He was Chicago's gift to America and the world.

[Sleepyjohns]

Cosign. His oral histories are simply irreplacable.

[Darsan54]

I think we should rename it "Studs" day. Man, how cool do you have to be to named Studs? He was learned, erudite and wise. What more could you want in a man?

[PerryWhite]

Studs was by far Chicago's favorite Stalinist. I don't even know who is number 2.

[shocktreatment]

From Merriam Webster's Online Dictionary:
Main Entry: Sta·lin·ism
Pronunciation: ˈstä-lə-ˌni-zəm, ˈsta-
Function: noun
Date: 1927
: the political, economic, and social principles and policies associated with Stalin; especially : the theory and practice of communism developed by Stalin from Marxism-Leninism and marked especially by rigid authoritarianism, widespread use of terror, and often emphasis on Russian nationalism
— Sta·lin·ist -nist noun or adjective

From Answers.com:
n.
The bureaucratic, authoritarian exercise of state power and mechanistic application of Marxist-Leninist principles associated with Stalin.

Stalinist Sta'lin·ist adj. & n.
Stalinize Sta'lin·ize' v.

So, in 1968 Saul Bellow calls Studs Terkel a Stalinist. 41 years later, the label is revived. It makes even less sense now than it did then. Glib is no substitute for wit, no matter how often they are confused.

[marley22]

I've always liked Studs Terkel. He was a Progressive who could convert the other side with his wit and style. America could use more like him today.

[abigail1]

I miss Studs.

[Einstein44]

My feelings are mutual...He was the best and I could only wonder, what he would say about our current problems.