Quote of the day: James Oppenheim

As we come marching, marching, in the beauty of the day
A million darkened kitchens, a thousand mill-lofts gray
Are touched with all the radiance that a sudden sun discloses
For the people hear us singing, "Bread and Roses, Bread and Roses

James Oppenheim’s poem “Bread and Roses” was published in the IWW newspaper Industrial Solidarity on this date in 1911. Oppenheim was inspired by a speech given by labor union leader, socialist, and feminist Rose Schneiderman who said that "The worker must have bread, but she must have roses, too." A political slogan as well as the name of an associated poem and song, “Bread and Roses” has been translated into other languages and has been set to music by at least three composers.

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