Fighting in Paradise: Labor Unions, Racism, and Communists in the Making of Modern Hawai‘i

Name: Fighting in Paradise: Labor Unions, Racism, and Communists in the Making of Modern Hawai‘i
Price: 39.51 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.4 (7 reviews)

4.4 of 5 Stars: Australia & Oceania - Fighting in Paradise: Labor Unions, Racism, and Communists in the Making of Modern Hawai‘i

$39.51

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Book Synopsis: Powerful labor movements played a critical role in shaping modern Hawaii, beginning in the 1930s, when International Longshore and Warehousemen’s Union (ILWU) representatives were dispatched to the islands to organize plantation and dock laborers. They were stunned by the feudal conditions they found in Hawaii, where the majority of workers–Hawaiian, Japanese, Chinese, and Filipino in origin–were routinely subjected to repression and racism at the hands of white bosses. The wartime civil liberties crackdown brought union organizing to a halt; but as the war wound down, Hawaii workers’ frustrations boiled over, leading to an explosive success in the forming of unions. During the 1950s, just as the ILWU began a series of successful strikes and organizing drives, the union came under McCarthyite attacks and persecution. In the midst of these allegations, Hawaii’s bid for statehood was being challenged by powerful voices in Washington who claimed that admitting Hawaii to the union would be tantamount to giving the Kremlin two votes in the U.S. Senate, while Jim Crow advocates worried that Hawaii’s representatives would be enthusiastic supporters of pro–civil rights legislation. Hawaii’s extensive social welfare system and the continuing power of unions to shape the state politically are a direct result of those troubled times. Based on exhaustive archival research in Hawaii, California, Washington, and elsewhere, Gerald Horne’s gripping story of Hawaii workers’ struggle to unionize reads like a suspense novel as it details for the first time how radicalism and racism helped shape Hawaii in the twentieth century.

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Step into the rich history of modern Hawaii with "Fighting in Paradise: Labor Unions, Racism, and Communists in the Making of Modern Hawai‘i." Uncover the powerful labor movements that defined Hawaii's transformation, from the struggles of plantation and dock laborers to the explosive successes in forming unions. This gripping tale, based on exhaustive archival research, will transport you back in time and reveal how radicalism, racism, and resilience helped shape Hawaii in the twentieth century.

Discover the untold stories of Hawaiian, Japanese, Chinese, and Filipino workers who stood up against repression and racism at the hands of white bosses. Be captivated by the resilience and determination of these diverse laborers as they fought for their rights and paved the way for Hawaii's extensive social welfare system. Gerald Horne's detailed narrative will leave you inspired by the labor movements that continue to influence Hawaii's political landscape today.

Explore the tumultuous era of the 1950s, where the International Longshore and Warehousemen’s Union (ILWU) faced McCarthyite attacks and persecution while leading successful strikes and organizing drives. Delve into the political challenges Hawaii faced as powerful voices in Washington debated its bid for statehood. Experience the suspenseful twists and turns of Hawaii workers' struggle to unionize, a story that reverberates through history and offers valuable insights into the complexities of social change.

Embark on a journey through Hawaii's past and gain a deeper understanding of the pivotal role labor unions, racism, and communists played in shaping the identity of the Aloha State. Let "Fighting in Paradise" be your guide to a world of resilience, activism, and social transformation. Click here to dive into this immersive narrative and experience the power of historical storytelling.

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