My blogs addressing this holiday usually point to the fact that many treat Labor Day as only a holiday without remembering the why, when, and how it came into being.  I reiterate that idea because it is almost as important in the current American big business climate as it was in 1887 when it was established by President Grover Cleveland.  It was not until 1894, however, that Labor Day became an official federal holiday.  It is a time to celebrate and respect workers, regardless of job, and to remember the struggles of those who came before us to establish civil and safe working conditions, decent wages, and the weekend.  For some in America, like the nurses and other staff at Christus in Santa Fe, that struggle continues.

In conjunction with the holiday, I also mention the 1954 documentary film Salt of the Earth.  Written by Michael Wilson, directed by Herbert J. Biberman, and produced by Paul Jarrico, it was panned and banned and blacklisted as subversive, and Communist propaganda.  All three of the afore mentioned were on the Hollywood blacklist.  The film centers on a strike at the Empire Zinc Company in Grant County, New Mexico near Silver City.

Despite the fact that I have inserted social and political commentary into my blog, it is even more appropriate for me to feature photographs of  three very hard working people as well.  The first is Antonio Lujan.  He is a long-time social activist, state congressman, and early Vietnam-era veteran.

Antonio Lujan

I don't know the name of the horse, but the farrier shown here is Kerry Dalen of Albuquerque.  She is also an emergency room physician at the University of New Mexico Medical Center.

Kerry Dalen

Last but not least, if my notes and description serve me well, this is Art Baca of the Las Cruces Fire Department, Station 2.  I did a broad shoot of many of the firefighters for my book and when I went to deliver the photographs, a different shift of people were on duty.  They said "Why didn't you photograph us?"  So naturally, I said "Do you have time now?" and proceeded with the shoot.  Thus, my notes are not as clear as they could have been. 

Art Baca

My thanks to each of you for the work you do every day. 

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image