Bread And Roses Strike Stereotypes

The Bread and Roses Strike was one of the most important events in Massachusetts history. The Bread and Roses Strike started on January 12, 1912 in Lawrence, Massachusetts. The workers of the mills in Lawrence did not agree with the low wages they were given. With the low wages they were given, the workers were required to work long hours. They would have to work around 54 hours each week. Immigrants from Eastern and Southern Europe immigrated to Lawrence to work in the mills. More specifically, the immigrants came from Italy,Germany, Canada, Syria, and much more. During the strike there were several examples of prejudice and stereotypes, many workers were immigrants and affected the public’s response, and in this generation currently, prejudice and stereotypes play a role in this society. Throughout the strike, there are several examples of prejudice and stereotypes. An example that depicts prejudice and stereotypes is the wages. Women and children were paid less than men since men were seen as more vigorous. Due to the amount of pay each worker was on strike. “In 1894 a total of 750,000 workers were on strike.” This embodies that many workers, mostly immigrants, weren’t paid as well as maybe others around the US. Even though men were paid a little more than women and children, it was
not enough to basically have a living. Stereotypes and prejudices leads people to be offended which guides them into proving others wrong.
Various workers were immigrants which affected the public’s response to the strike. The public and other immigrants would observe what the other population would be doing. An example is “Curious about this exotic breed, angry at their purpose, the crowd watched as the Italians shaved and washed”(16). This embodies the curiosity others had on other populations. The Italians were to adapt to the lifestyle in Lawrence, but others saw them as strange individuals. They were seen as strange due to the unorthodox rituals done daily. When a new group of people would arrive to lawrence, others would see them as exotic and divergent. The immigrants in Lawrence had the public thinking about what could come next.
Prejudice and stereotypes plays a role in our current society.
In our current society, women stereotypes and prejudice on African Americans and Hispanics are played. Points said about women and girls are doing a specific job are said today. Examples are in politics. Hillary Clinton was doubted in becoming the first women president of the United States. In the text, women are being paid less than men due to that they are women and should be working at home and not in mills. Back then, African Americans and Hispanics weren’t treated as well as maybe Italians would. As there was prejudice and stereotypes said and done back then, they still play a role today in the twenty first
century. The Bread and Roses Strike and the current society have several familiar traits. The immigrants went through prejudice and stereotypes which affected the public’s response. This also has prejudice and stereotypes play an initial role in this society. Women and children had less pay than the men. Also Women, African Americans, and Hispanics had few rights than someone coming from Italy or Germany. As more and more immigrants arrived, the public’s response was affected due the amount of people arriving. The Bread and Roses Strike had lots of prejudice and stereotypes which had affect the years coming.