Norma Rae Webster is a minimum-wage worker in a cotton mill that has taken too much of a toll on the health of her family for her to ignore her Dickensian working conditions. After hearing a speech by New York union organizer Reuben Warshowsky, Norma Rae decides to join the effort to unionize her shop. This causes conflict at home when Norma Rae’s husband Sonny assumes that her activism is a result of a romance between herself and Reuben. Despite the pressure brought to bear by management, Norma Rae successfully orchestrates an election to unionize the factory, resulting in victory for the union and presumably capitulation for the demands. When Reuben first comes to the factory he tries to get all the workers to start a union, but is soon chased out of the small town. Days later, Norma Rae shuts down her machine and stands on top of her work table striking. Soon the whole factory is with her and a union starts.

Back in the day, companies like the one depicted in this movie, abused and mistreated their workers.  In many ways, they were slaves, working for pennies while management lived like kings.  Unions helped correct this wrong by organizing workers against the company.  This was a very good move because it forced companies to do the right thing.  Back then, there was very little justice.

Unions were needed back then to remind owners and managers that the working class deserve better.

But I’m not so sure unions are needed today.

In a fast-moving world, there isn’t a company in the United States that could hid from this kind of mistreatment.  The ones that can hid are usually criminal in nature, but I’m talking about legitimate companies.  Company owners and managers today are looking to do their best for their company as well as their employees.  But today, unions enjoy a power they shouldn’t have gotten in the first place: political clout.

Unions made sense back when information was closely guarded and living standards were low.  They did their patriotic duty to make sure that no one was getting hurt on the job and if someone was hurt, the company would take care of them.  They did their civic duty by encouraging all union members to help out each other in times of need.

Today, all employees, whether they are in a union or not, enjoy workman’s compensation.  All employers are required to pay a federally-mandated minimum wage.  Finally, there are laws on the books now for employers to provide a safe working environment.

So, what exactly do we need unions for now?

Unions today have too much power.  In fact, their ability to fund-raise on behalf of an entire party (Democrats) is mind-blowing.  When unions have the ability to bully a company into either unionizing or having a protest outside their doors, it shows that they are no longer interested in helping their fellow workers.  They’ve become what they sought to fight: a big organization that takes advantage of those less fortunate.

Why are unions heavily invested in the health care bill?  Most union workers get health care either through their company or through the union itself.

Why do unions care if an Eagle Boy Scout cleans up park?

Why do unions want to punish good teachers to reward bad teachers?

Are unions still needed in some sectors of the market?  Probably.  But when unions start doing things that are counter-productive and only care about their own self-interest, they stop being community advocates and become thugs that feel entitled to the world.

First a disclaimer: This is probably going to be one of the most controversial posts I’ve written.  I say this for several reasons: First, I don’t think America is ready to hear it.  Second, I will be reflecting on the state of society.  Third, I will be talking about a minority group who has historically been singled out for simply having a different skin color than what was considered normal.  Please understand that the thoughts and ideas addressed here should be considered as a whole.

It’s closing onto two weeks since Obama was christened as the new President.  Before he was sworn in, I wrote how Obama would first be judged as a black president before he would be judged as a president.  I stand by this article.  I will, however, be expanding on this post.

Yesterday, the Republican National Committee nominated their first black chairman.  Being a republican, I’m excited by this, even though I don’t really pay attention to the going-ons of the national committee.  But I don’t think I’m excited for the right reason.

People have said that it’s historic that a black person can become president after decades of racism.  Overcoming all adversity, fulfilling Martin Luther King’s dream.  But what was his dream?

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I believe that Obama was voted president not by the content of his character but the color of his skin.  And now, to avoid the label racism, the RNC is following suite.

Obama’s character has been questioned since his nomination.  His pastor, his relationship with a known and convicted terrorist, his lack of any credible leadership experience were completely ignored because of one reason: “change”  It didn’t matter to the American people what kind of change.  Obama could have been white and won the election.  But the fact that he is black gave America the opprotunity to forgive themselves of any racial prejustice they had.  The election was about change but race was what Obama ran on, whether he knew it or not.

The racism that is currently permiating America is very subtile.  People are so afraid of being called racist that they will do things they normally wouldn’t do so they can avoid being labeled one.  Consider the appointment of Roland Burris.  Before he was appointed, Obama and his fellow democrats announced that they would not honor any appointment by now impeached Rob Blagojevich.  Obama was ademant that any appointment by Blagojevich would be tainted.  His stance changed when Burris was appointed. Blagojevich, counting on the fact that Burris is black, knew that the Senate would have to seat the only black senator.  If they didn’t, they would be labeled a bigot.  Obama suddently backs down and quietly tells the Senate to seat Burris, completely ignoring the fact that several days ago, he wouldn’t support any person appointed by Blagojevich.

Racism comes in many forms.  Anything done to treat someone different because of the color of their skin is racism.  If a black person is denied access to a building because he’s black, that’s racism.  But if that same black person is encouraged and ushered into the building because he’s black, it’s still racism.

I couldn’t help but overhear one of my co-workers the day after the election.  He called several people and asked if they helped write history.  It’s sad because the only reason it was history was because Obama is black.  If he was white, would there have been the same pomp and circumstance?  If he was white, would there have been mad hocking of merchandise?  If he was white, would we even be having this conversation?

America, you are racist, even if you do it with a smile on your face.  Yes, let put black people in power to make yourselves look good.  Let’s completely ignore everything else because you want to save face.  You don’t want to be called racist, right?

I’d rather be labeled a racist and judge a man by his character than be labeled “open-minded” because I support Michael Steele.  Racism has turned from hatrid to undeserved respect.  As a real minority, I find it sickening.