8 GROUNDCOVER NEWS BLACK HISTORY Dodge Revolutionary Union Movement — DRUMbeat for change The Dodge Revolutionary Union Movement (DRUM) was an organization of African-American workers formed in May, 1968, in the Chrysler Dodge Main assembly plant in Detroit, Michigan. Labor activist Martin Glaberman estimated the Hamtramck plant was 70% Black, while the union local (UAW Local 3), plant management, lower supervision and the Hamtramck city administration were predominantly run by older white Polish-Amercans. DRUM attempted to organize Black workers to obtain concessions of racial and economic justice, not only from the Chrysler management, but also from the United Auto Workers. On July 8, 1968, DRUM led a wildcat strike against conditions in the Hamtramck plant. Over 4,000 Black and white workers observed the strike; it lasted two and a half days and prevented the production of 3,000 cars. The Dodge Revolutionary Union Movement organization spread to other Detroit plants including FRUM (Ford Revolutionary Union Movement) at the Ford River Rouge Plant, and ELRUM (Eldon Avenue Revolutionary Union Movement) at the Chrysler Eldon Avenue Plant. These organizations were brought together through the League of Revolutionary Black Workers which formed in June 1969. General Gordon Baker Jr., a Detroit MIKE JONES Groundcover vendor No. 113 Ken Parks (left), Donald Abdul (right) and Mike Jones met in February to begin conversations that shaped this article. revolutionary Black nationalist, was at the core of the DRUM movement. Ken Parks and I got a chance to sit down with Donald Abdul who was a part of the second wildcat strike and talk about DRUM and General Baker. The first words out of his mouth were, “General Baker would do for others before he would do for himself.” Abdul went on to talk about the reason for the second strike. After the first strike, seven workers got fired — five white workers and two Black workers. Chrysler hired back the five white workers and did not hire back the two Black workers. General Baker, being one of the two fired, organized for the second strike and the continuation of the Black workers movement. On October 8, 2022, many of us from Groundcover went from Ken Parks’ 80th birthday party to the State Theater to see “Finally Got The News,” a documentary about the League of Black Revolutionary Workers, which included DRUM. There was a lively educational discussion after the film, including commentary from Donald Abdul and other prominent participants in that movement. There is a video of that discussion which is worthy of study. This was a time when anti-imperialism was a strong force on the world stage; the revolution was spreading. The seeds planted at that time were kept alive in large part by General Baker and those who continue with the General Baker Institute. General Baker influenced many, AUGUST 11, 2023 largely because he embodied the notion of being "centered to the core." He radiated a deep contentment with who he was as an intelligent human being who was focused on bringing people together in the struggle for freedom. When another local paper faced repression from its DRUM coverage, the League took over the student paper at Wayne State University — the South End — and made it a tribune of the revolution. Astrology aids communication DALON EATON Groundcover contributor Relating to people can be difficult. Communication is a skill, and like most skills, practice makes perfect. But have you ever noticed when talking to some people, not only do you not speak the same language, but it's almost as if you are from two different planets? Well, being familiar with astrology and knowing a person's birth chart can aid with making a better connection. Whether it be friendship, romantic partnership or a business relationship, communication is certainly key. I remember talking to a potential romantic prospect; we would have really good phone conversations, talking for long hours about everything under the sun — from hopes and fears to religion and politics (those talks tended to be on the louder side). But when it came time for creating a productive life together, we just could not seem to get on the same page. When someone asks you what your sign is (based on the birth chart), they are only scratching the surface of what astrology has to offer. Let's say for example someone asks you what your sign is and you say, "I'm a Gemini.'' Knowingly or unknowingly, they are asking about your sun sign. The sun has a physical and psychological effect on everyone walking around on the earth today. Imagine the planets giving off signals like satellites. I wish I had enough space in this article to explain this in detail, but for now just imagine the planets moving and acting the way we know see ASTROLOGY page 11 Example birth chart of someone born on August 4, 1970. Outcomes are affected by time and location of birth. Photo credit: AstroDienst
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