This picture was taken today, May 1st, 2018, International Workers Day. As you may well see, it is of a rom woman, here in Stockholm, digging through the trash bin looking for bottles or cans to take back to the grocery store in hopes of gaining a few kronor to use to buy food. It is, by now, an all too common image.
This picture, in a way, embodies everything that this day is about. This day, May 1, is International Workers Day. It is held on May 1st in many countries around the world. The date set aside for “ All Social Democratic Party organizations and trade unions of all countries to demonstrate energetically on the First of May for the legal establishment of the 8 hour work day, for the class demands of the proletariat, and for the universal peace. “
I was struck by the image and the irony of it as I took it. Struck by her, by her need, by the fact that on a day that is set aside to commemorate the continuing struggles of the working class, here is a woman who is surrounded by leftists, and who lives outside of even that struggle. I was struck by the questions that came to my mind as to how her actions might be viewed by those around her, especially on this day. Who would feel empathy, who might offer her a bottle or can, or food, or a shower, a place to sleep, who might be offended, who might not even notice that she was there at all? I was struck by the idea that we have become so accustomed to seeing it that we can forget the idea of class struggles or proletariat concepts and forget our common humanity. Who would, I wondered, feel some amount of empathy on May 1, but on another day scoff at her in disgust?
Workers Day, as it is also called, is a time of recognition. Recognition of the common struggles faced both in the past and currently with the hope that things will change. Struggles for healthy working conditions, a livable wage, education and skill training, decent working hours, equality among workers in questions of gender, class, pay, conditions and respect, are among others the topic of the day.
But the day has a greater meaning, especially now in europe, with the huge influx of immigrants and refugees, both documented and undocumented. Said influx has given rise, sadly, to a newly emboldened far-right. The hatred and fear mongering of the neo-nazis is rapidly gaining power throughout europe, including the once socialist idyllic Sweden. Swastikas and hate slogans are showing up more and more frequently and hate crimes are rising at a deeply alarming rate. As I walk the streets of Stockholm I see homeless men and women, I see refugees and I see rom, I also see the reactions on the faces of those who pass them by. Some, or perhaps most, merely ignore them, occasionally someone will stop and offer them money or food, or talk to them. Some call the police and ask them to be physically removed, others attack them verbally or even physically, although I have not seen any physical violence myself. What does this say about our society?
The socialist ideals of a great society of equals has been taking a terrible beating and the election of Trump has given greed and prejudice a new face. It has also put the economic gap into stronger focus as the 1% grows stronger, the struggles against their covetousness is growing as well. It is becoming clearer to many that capitalism equals egoism and I am buoyed by their voices and their strength.
From the solidarity event in Yaffa. Photo: Arab48. 
Designed by Belal Khaled. 
