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The Labor of Labor Day

The United States and Canada observe Labor Day every first Monday of September. The rest of the world honors Labor Day on May 1st. Instead of reflecting on the accomplishments and contributions of workers, we take a holiday, run errands, or shop. September’s Labor Day lacks rallies, commemorations, or political education efforts. Workers do not get a space to voice their demands or concerns. Labor Day sales do not help us connect our struggles with economic justice. Our Labor Day in September is simply a pressure release valve, a federal day off that many disenfranchised individuals do not get.

Racial divisions have historically been used to distract working-class people from the real problem. Some exploit immigrants to create a buffer class. For example, Henry Ford’s racism towards African Americans and anti-Semitism towards Jews drove him to exploit immigrants arriving from the Levant. Now many labor unions explore the connections, recognize the historical inequities, and center racial equity.

Land theft, economic exploitation, and militarism are pillars of the system of inequality that we see today. Coercion and prejudice continue to shape how we think and our political institutions. Over the past few decades, we’ve seen increasing vilification of unions and dismissals of workers’ rights.

For a brief moment, during the pandemic, our society became aware of front-line and essential workers. These include cashiers, food processors, agricultural workers, and drivers. During the height of the pandemic, conversations about race and labor led to mobilizations on our streets. However, our movement became coopted. This contentious election cycle should cause us to pause and question. Who is winning? What is the fallout of the pandemic recovery, the forever wars, and the genocides playing out on our mobile devices? This Labor Day, instead of shopping or binging the next show, we need to think about economic justice, and why centering immigrant laborers and the 800,000 prison laborers can help us build a more just society.

Latest posts

Dhul Hijjah and What We Carry Forward

THE SEASON OF HAJJ: WHAT WE CARRY FORWARD

Dhul Hijjah is a sacred time that invites Muslims around the world into remembrance, reflection, sacrifice, and collective responsibility.

The sacred rituals of Hajj are not disconnected from the world around us. They carry lessons about dignity, migration, equality, perseverance, solidarity, and moral courage that continue to speak to the crises of our time.

At MuslimARC, we believe these teachings call us not only to spiritual reflection, but also to action rooted in justice and compassion.

Islamic Center Of San Diego: What We Carry Together

Islamic Center Of San Diego: What We Carry Together

“Those who, when disaster strikes them, say, ‘Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return.”
 They are the ones upon whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy. And it is they who are rightly guided.”
 Qur’an 2:156–157

Heartbroken by the shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego during one of the holiest times of the Islamic year, our prayers are with the victims, their families, the injured, and the entire San Diego Muslim community.

Amin Abdullah, Mansour Kaziha, and Nader Awad are not strangers to us. They are our teachers, our elders, our children, our neighbors, and our community members. May they be surrounded in mercy and their loved ones be granted comfort, healing, and strength during this painful time.

Yesterday’s attack marks another painful reminder of the growing threat of hate-fueled violence targeting sacred spaces and marginalized communities.

Our Next Chapter

MuslimARC is entering a new chapter.

For over a decade, this work has been built by a community. From our founding in 2014, through the leadership of Margari Hill and co-founder Namira Islam, to the AMEL and AMAL fellows, partners, volunteers, and supporters who shaped this organization along the way.

This work has always been collective.

More — ReMARC

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