Welcome to the archived messages from In The 00s. This archive stretches back to 1998 in some instances, and contains a nearly complete record of all the messages posted to inthe00s.com. You will also find an archive of the messages from inthe70s.com, inthe80s.com, inthe90s.com and amiright.com before they were combined to form the inthe00s.com messageboard.
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Subject: American Folklore/Mythology
What are America's folktales? I know there is Sleepy Hollow and Paul Bunyan but what else???
Subject: Re: American Folklore/Mythology
Here's a great site with tons of American Folktales:
http://www.americanfolklore.net/
Subject: Re: American Folklore/Mythology
When I was teaching 5th grade, the kids were learning about tall tales. They put on a play which was a lot of fun for both me and the kids. We had Pecos Bill, Paul Bunyon, Johnny Appleseed, Stormalong, Sluefoot Sue, and John Henry. I still have the video of that play and I watch it from time to time. Man, those kids (5th graders at the time) are now all graduated from high school. Boy, do I feel old. :-/
Sorry, had to share. ;)
Cat
Subject: Re: American Folklore/Mythology
Unfortunately, most people don't know about the real heros of our country, the little people who really made this nation great. Certainly our current political (mis)leaders don't. like the ordinary Rev. War soldiers, the anti-slavery activists, the union organizers, the rank and file civil rights activists, the women's rights workers. What we need is a working class pantheon, folklore, and mythology.
How many of you know how many people were killed at the Ludlow massacre, or ever heard of it? Who has heard about the Lawrence textile strike and the beating of the kids? How many can name the Haymarket martyrs, or know what happened at Haymarket Square in 1876?
These are some of our stories of struggle, which we working stiffs should be passing on to our kids. My kid, happily, know these stories, and respect the efforts of those who have gone before. Why isn't this stuff part of our kids' education?
Subject: Re: American Folklore/Mythology
I know of the Ludlow massacre and the Hay Market Martyrs but basically in name only. I think i read about the Hay Market Martyrs - isn't that the origin of May Day? Weren't they unionists who stirred things up too much and were 'offed'?
Subject: Re: American Folklore/Mythology
Quoting:
I know of the Ludlow massacre and the Hay Market Martyrs but basically in name only. I think i read about the Hay Market Martyrs - isn't that the origin of May Day? Weren't they unionists who stirred things up too much and were 'offed'?
End Quote
Yes, and several of those who were executed weren't even there. They were hung for their political beliefs. Like most other people in this country, you should read labor histoy. Mistakes were made, and will be again, but the struggle goes on.
Subject: Re: American Folklore/Mythology
Yeah, your labour history is pretty bloody isn't it - people were being massacred in their hundreds right up until the thirties, right?
Subject: Re: American Folklore/Mythology
Quoting:
Yeah, your labour history is pretty bloody isn't it - people were being massacred in their hundreds right up until the thirties, right?
End Quote
Well, not usually in the hundreds. Tens and twenties was more like it, or the lone organizer, like Westly Evert, who was linched from a railroad bridge wearing his WWI uniform for trying to organize a union. Unlike other places (like Chile, where 3500 workers were gunned down in one afternoon in 1913) we have lots of single murders. As Woody put it, in his simple, powerful way "New dirt fallin, ovber a new made casket, way overrrr in that union buryin' ground".
There is a U. Utah Phillips album that makes it all clear. Should be played in every public school in the country at least one a year.