Flowingice's Blog

Intro

May Day is a day to celebrate workers’ rights. It is especially popular among socialist, communist, and anarchist groups. These groups generally disagree with the American form of capitalism and would like to see more rights and benefits given to workers or employees.

In the U.S., May Day celebrations have generally lost their umph. The major U.S. holiday to recognize workers in the U.S. is on Labor Day, which is on the first Monday in September.

Listen to Dave and Emily talk about May Day.

Dialogue

Dave:  Today is May Day. Did you ever celebrate it as a kid?

Emily:  I remember when I was in kindergarten, delivering flowers to my next door neighbor and knocking on the door and running away.

Dave:  Right! So, that’s what we did, the exact same thing. We’d go to strangers, and we’d make these baskets with, like, fruit or flowers, put them on their doorknob, knock, and run.

Emily:  I’m not sure what the meaning behind May Day is

Dave:  Right! Neither do I. Other people I’ve talked to recently have no idea what May Day is about.

Emily:  Yeah, I, I think it’s a dying holiday.

Dave:  It is. So, I went online to research what it’s about, and it’s actually, like, the United Workers Socialist Revolution Party day.

Emily:  Really?

Dave:  Yeah. It’s all about workers’ rights and the labor movement.

Emily:  I don’t know why, but I always associated it with something nautical.

Dave:  Nautical?

Emily:  I don’t, like, something with a boat or a ship. I have absolutely no idea why.

DISCUSSION

Many Americans do not associate May Day with worker’s rights or the labor movement. In fact, many people in the U.S. regard May Day as a dying holiday and do nothing to celebrate it.

This year, a large nationwide protest has been planned by Americans and immigrants who disagree with suggested changes to U.S. immigration policy. On Monday, May 1, protesters will launch the “Great American Boycott,” telling people to stop working and stop shopping for one day.