October 8, 2010

Wayne State University hosts the North American Labor History Conference, Oct. 21-23

Scholars examine the role of workers during the era of "New Politics"

When Barack Obama harnessed the energy of young people, union members and minorities during his campaign for the presidency, pundits hailed it as the beginning of the "New Politics." With midterm elections upon us, the strength of that political coalition and the durability of a new politics will be tested.

Scholars and activists will come together at Wayne State University's McGregor Memorial Conference Center on Oct. 21-23 during the North American Labor History Conference to discuss the development of this model of "New Politics" and the history of workers in politics and political campaigns.

During this annual event, researchers, union members, activists and students will attend meetings titled "Class, Social Movements and the New Politics." Scholars from around North America and the world will discuss the role of workers past and present in elections and the political system. In addition to formal papers, the program includes poetry, film and discussions of labor activism.

Janine Lanza, conference organizer and associate professor in the Wayne State University Department of History, explains that, "Every year we have a great mix of academics, students, workers and interested members of the community coming together to talk about the place of labor in our society. It makes for a dynamic, unpredictable and enlightening time."

Featured speakers include:

Sociologist Ruth Milkman, professor at City University of New York and the leading authority on the sociology of immigration, who will talk about immigration and its impact on workers and the political environment.

Scott Martelle, former Los Angeles Times reporter and author, will head a discussion of the Detroit Free Press strike of 1985.
Local poet and labor activist M.L. Liebler will read from his new collection of poetry, Working Words: Punching the Clock and Kicking Out the Jams.
Sasha Reuther, grandson of Walter Reuther, will preview the new film Brothers on the Line, which chronicles the Reuther brothers' work creating the UAW.

To register and for more information, visit http://nalhc.wayne.edu/. Direct questions to Janine Lanza at (313) 577-6094, ao1605@wayne.edu.

Wayne State University is a premier urban research university offering more than 400 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to nearly 32,000 students.