The Raised Fist..

           

A five inch snowfall almost cancelled our jaunt to the Twin Cities last weekend. Midday our predicted 3" snowfall hadn't arrived and the internet assured us of good road conditions in and around the Minneapolis area so we headed north for a family engagement party. It was clear sailing.  Having made good time we arrived a bit early and being in close proximity to the cemetery where both Natureman's grandparents and parents are buried, we made a stop.

I had heard about this burial place and now finally had the opportunity to visit. Natureman tells the story of a trip in his 20's to this very cemetery when he noticed a circle with a fist on its gate.  The English words 'Workmen's Circle' translated underneath in Yiddish/German Der Arbeter Ring. When he questioned his folks about this he discovered that his family, their friends and many of his neighbors were socialists. It had never dawned on him before. 

The Arbeter Ring is a jewish non-profit organization founded in the 1900's by Yiddish speaking eastern european immigrants as a mutual aid society that also worked and continues to work for both social and economic justice with 11,000 members worldwide. 

Natureman recalls a building called the Labor Lyceum frequented by his neighbors and parents on the north side off of Olson Highway where they attended social programs and lectures. Yiddish classes as well as secular holiday activities were held here.

This burial place certainly answers a lot about this guy I call Natureman who has spent his life not only speaking out about societal and economic injustices but acting on these beliefs as well... 

BTW the public hearing organized by the grassroots organization C.A.R.S (Citizens Acting for Rail Safety)  is on January 7th this week at the Black River Beach Center, 1433 La Crosse, WI  from  2-5pm.  I bet neither Natureman's grandparents/parents would be prouder of his activism. See, one can be proactive whether you live in a big City or even in the End of the Rainbow Valley. 
Check out this Link:BNSF rail expansion through the Marsh and Wetlands. Actually we all are affected by this rail traffic...