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This edition of the free bulletin, World Wide Work, is published by the
American Labor Education Center, an independent nonprofit founded in
1979. December 2006 *Cross-X by Joe Miller (Farrar Straus Giroux). The eye-opening story of a groundbreaking debate team at a poor black high school in Kansas City that not only overcomes the odds against it but begins to challenge racism and classism in the debate community and beyond. *Not Quite White by Matt Wray (Duke University). A monograph that explores the early history of the stigmatizing of poor rural whites as "white trash" by dominant elites protecting their own status. *Wisdom for a Livable Planet by Carl N. McDaniel (Trinity University). Profiles eight environmental activists, each engaged in a different way or from a different angle. The net effect is to provide both hope and a useful overview of many of the ecological problems we face. *Lions Don't Eat Us by Constance Quarterman Bridges (Graywolf). Poems that bring to life stories from the author's family whose African American and Native American roots go back many generations. *Tale of 2Cities by Heather Woodbury (Semiotext(e)/MIT). A novel about L.A. and New York developed over time through improvisational theater performances. The style is intriguing although such topics as 9/11 or the Dodgers' destruction of Mexican housing to build a stadium may be familiar to some. *Blood Money by T. Christian Miller (Little, Brown). A militant protest by oil unions in Iraq against an attempt by Halliburton to import cheaper labor from the Philippines is just one of the stories recounted in this comprehensive review of rampant corporate greed in the so-called "reconstruction" that has wasted billions of U.S. taxpayer dollars, cost thousands of lives, and failed to provide Iraqi communities with basic services. *In Conflict by Yvonne Latty (PoliPointPress). The stories of 25 U.S. veterans of the war in Iraq, told in their own words. An unusual compilation in that they were chosen because they have a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints on the war. *A Little Piece of Ground by Elizabeth Laird (Haymarket). A novel for junior high and high school students about a 12-year-old Palestinian boy who lives under Israeli control on the West Bank. *Wartime Shipyard by Katherine Archibald (Univ. of Illinois). Reprint of a 1947 book by a woman who spent two years working in an Oakland shipyard during World War II. As a chronicle of the obstacles faced by women, African Americans, and "Okies" from the South, this account is a useful reminder of discrimination in the union movement that still must be overcome. *Home Ground edited by Barry Lopez and Debra Gwartney (Trinity University). Forty-five writers provide mini-essays on more than 850 expressions and terms for features of America's physical landscape. A real find for lovers of language and those who want to maintain a sense of place and connection to the land. *Jacked by Nomi Prins (PoliPointPress). In conversational style, a former Goldman Sachs manager compiles in one place the way working people she met around the country are being hurt by Bush era policies. *Big-Box Swindle by Stacy Mitchell (Beacon). Shows the effects on local businesses and working people of the shift to mega-retail chains and details how nearly 200 big-box developments have been stopped by local coalitions. Discusses local policies that can promote strong communities. *The Great Risk Shift by Jacob S. Hacker (Oxford University). Details the systematic shift of risk from corporations to individuals and proposes solutions. *Thomas Paine and the Promise of America by Harvey J. Kaye (Hill & Wang). Tells the story not only of the early American radical himself but of how he has been referred to and used in the two hundred years since. In the process, the author provides a useful tour through American political history from a progressive perspective. MUSIC *Collector Records founded by the late Joe Glazer distributed a number of recordings by original labor songwriters such as Larry Penn, Bobbie McGee, Kenny Winfree, and others. Smithsonian Folkways (www.folkways.si.edu) has now reissued some of those recordings. *Despite Our Differences by Indigo Girls (Hollywood Records). The duo's traditional directness is enhanced by more interesting vocal and instrumental arrangements than some of their past work. *La Banda del Carro Rojo by Los Tigres del Norte (Fonovisa). A new album in Spanish with songs about the immigrant experience, from the irony of the mistreatment by Mexican authorities of Central Americans who are passing through to the cultural divide that emerges between Mexican-born parents and their U.S.-born children. FILMS *Thieves and Liars ( www.thieves-and-liars.com). A powerful feature film that tells the stories of three families affected by the drug trade that increasingly corrupts life in Puerto Rico, a key shipping transfer point for cocaine bound from Latin America to the U.S. east coast. Outstanding acting performances elicited by directors Ricardo Mendez Matta and Poli Marichal have helped the film sweep key awards in film festivals all over the world. *Quiet Revolution by Alliance for Justice (www.afj.org). A 23-minute video that shows how right-wing extremists have placed activist judges on the courts to undermine well established rights and protections. News clips show the right's message discipline. Of most interest to law students and liberal activists. Free tools for effective grassroots organizing and communication, as well as back issues of World Wide Work, are available at www.TheWorkSite.org Tax-deductible contributions to the American Labor Education Center are welcome and may be sent to 2721 Quail Run Rd., Talent, OR 97540. 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