Archie Green (1917-2009): An American Always Said to Have Been 'Called to Labor'

Abstract

In the spring of 2009 there died Archie Green, the hero of the American working classes, and of all persons ever displaced, as well as of the poor and landless of this world, as of all those who have laboured long to make possible the wealth of others. He was a shipwright, union activist, labour historian, folklorist, academic, and author, a progressive optimist, and the father of the theory and practice of a new way of looking at everyday activity and experience - 'laborlore'. This is a body of knowledge that can make possible occupational involvement, solidarity between 'classes' and, in effect, a proud and engaged citizenry, with a cheerful involvement wherever varied bodies of workers come together to perform a task.