Who was Joe Hill?

Joe Hill, the musician of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). Through his music and writing, Joe helped workers everywhere realize their collective power. He used popular tunes known by most Americans to create songs for strikers to sing to while they picketed outside factories, mines, and the docks. These songs spread the workers' message far and wide, helping build solidarity between the workers and their supporters. As an immigrant to the US himself, Joe also knew the specific struggles immigrant workers faced. He spoke to a broad audience, and people listened. Some of his most popular songs are "The Preacher and the Slave" and "Rebel Girl."

Of course, getting such good attention can put a target on one's back. Joe was no stranger to this; as his name grew more well-known, the authorities hounded him. This culminated in Utah, where Joe was falsely accused of murder. Even with the charges, Joe's supporters knew he was innocent and donated money for his court and legal fees. But in his letters to other members of the IWW, Joe insisted that the money be used for the rest of the organization. He was just one of many people, working to improve the lives of workers everywhere.

The authorities manipulated the public's poor view of labor unions and "bomb-throwing anarchists" to sway the jury, and Joe was quickly found guilty on shaky evidence. (Much later, historian William Adler proved Joe's innocence in the case in his biography, The Man who Never Died.) Despite multiple appeals, Joe was murdered by the state of Utah.

Despite Joe's death, the IWW marched on and kept his songs--and his spirit--alive.

Who are the IWW?

The Industrial Workers of the World, the Wobblies, the One Big Union. The IWW was founded in 1905. Its philosophy is informed by Marxism, socialism, and anarchism, and other leftist, worker-focused ideologies. They're headquartered in Chicago, though the IWW organizes workers all over the world.

The IWW's mission is simple: Organize workers everywhere, so labor is given its fair due, and assist the self-emancipation of the working class. And who is part of the working class? Anyone who works for a living, of course. Miners, construction workers, writers, artists, programmers, fast food workers, crafters--and more. Chances are, you, dear reader, would be welcome in the ranks of the IWW.

Historically, the IWW stuck to its guns and pushed for anticapitalist action, rather than simply reforming the system. The IWW views capitalism itself as a pox on humanity, and did not want its own members to be content with capitalism, since they might be doing "OK" after a strike and negotiation. The Wobblies also paid close attention to other forms of social inequality and oppression--unlike other organizations from the same era, such as the American Federation of Labor (AFL), they were anti-Jim Crow and pro-women workers. The AFL, by contrast, supported Jim Crow laws as "separate but equal," and did not include women in their organizing efforts. Today, the IWW remains inclusive.

And a note on the name "Wobblies"--nobody knows exactly where it comes from, but the popular story is that someone feeding striking IWW workers if they were from the "I-wobble-U-wobble-U." The name "Wobblies" has stuck ever since.

What did the IWW accomplish?

The Wobblies helped bring about massive changes to US labor political policy, particularly when they were most active in the early 1900s. Wobblies gathered wherever workers were being exploited. As they held strikes and public protests, their victories led to greater policy changes for workers everywhere.

In the early 20th century, authorities in the US would regularly round up people who violated laws that prevented true freedom of speech. Anyone who spoke out against warfare, particular leaders or laws, or indicated certain (usually left) political positions would get arrested and tossed in to jail. There wasn't--and still isn't--accountability for whether or not the law the person was breaking was a just law, so a lot of free speakers had no support to turn to.

The IWW opposed these laws using many strategies. One notable way was by deliberately, purposely filling up jails. Dozens of protesters would be stuffed into a small, county jail cell for openly speaking against something, and they would sing and chant to drive the jailers mad. Eventually, the jailers would have no choice but to let them go.

Perhaps most importantly, the IWW broke racial, gendered, and skill-level barriers. Because the IWW accepted all workers, regardless of their race, immigrant status, their gender, or the work they did--they encouraged solidarity between members. This helped groups advocate for greater rights across the United States.

You can also thank the wobblies (and other anarchists) for the five-day workweek and eight-hour day. When people fought (and died) for these victories, bosses gave workers brutally long workdays, and expected them to show up to work every single day of the week. If a worker got sick, injured, or otherwise couldn't make it to work, they'd lose their job--and their livelihood. Many of the things that give US workers stable jobs are the result of many hours of struggle. Always keep this in mind, and always continue that struggle!

And standing there as big as life
And smiling with his eyes,
Says Joe, "What they can never kill
Went on to organize,
Went on to organize."

From San Diego up to Maine,
In every mine and mill,
Where workers strike and organize
It's there you'll find Joe Hill,
It's there you'll find Joe Hill!

Thank you for reading and learning! If you have suggestions for other info to include or if I got some of the history wrong, feel free to sMail me.


Credits:

Original poem by Alfred Hayes
Writing by Marcus
Images procured from Wikipedia and are in the public domain or free use
Profile template by Lea

Historical Sources:

The Man Who Never Died: The Life, Times, and Legacy of Joe Hill, American Labor Icon by William Adler
The Letters of Joe Hill by Joe Hill
"The Legacy of the IWW: To Break their Haughty Power" article by Joe Richard, in International Socialist Review
The IWW Website