How a Freed Slave Wrote the Playbook for People Power
Over 130 years ago, Lucy Parsons gave us the tools we need for a progressive political revolution — now it’s time to use them
Once upon a time, there was a huge financial crash. Banks panicked and threatened the world economy. Desperate to save capitalism and the monetary system, the U.S. government opted not to punish the bankers. Instead they partnered with them to enact new, disastrous economic policies that raised interest rates. Anxiety rose with inflation. The uncontainable crisis spread. It threatened the financial health of anyone who held debts. The economic prospects of average Americans tanked, pulled down by the arrogance of the bankers who’d conspired with the titans of the new tech boom. Until it all went bust.
Eventually, the engines of industry roared back. Business moguls regained the reins. The few Americans who still possessed fabulous, scandalous, outrageous wealth became famous for their good fortune. They were born at the perfect moment to enjoy a rising tide of newfound international wealth and power, generated by the tech-based economic revolution.
But for the People, it must’ve seemed like every industry was in revolution. The old ways, the old days, the old bosses, the old country — they were…
