Sit-Down

by

John L. Lewis, in his outer raiment.
John L. Lewis, in his outer raiment.
From the sit-down strike in Flint, 1937:

[Michigan Governor Frank] Murphy decided to ask John L. Lewis what he would do if he sent in the troops. Lewis’s reply: “You want my answer sir? I shall personally enter GM Plant Number Two. I shall order the men to disregard your order, to stand fast. I shall walk up to the largest window in the plant, open it, divest myself of my outer raiment, remove my shirt and bare my bosom. Then, when you order your troops to fire, mine will be the first breast that your bullets will strike. And as my body falls from the window to the ground, you will listen to the voice of your grandfather, as he whispers in your ear, ‘Frank, are you sure you are doing the right thing?'” Murphy hesitated: his grandfather had been hanged after an Irish uprising.

Women’s Ward D

by

I took this photo in 2006 while walking my usual route with my dog around the Richardson Buildings. This is Women’s Ward D, the next to last building on the west end of the complex. I have several similar shots taken in later years, showing some deterioration, trees broken by the October storm and the structural remediation started a few years back. Here’s a link to a larger version.

I’ve long admired the ward buildings, particularly the brick outliers. Compared to the flashy administration building, they have great grace and subtlety and beautifully show Richardson’s mastery.