Labor history was pornography of a sort in those days, and even more so in these days. In public schools and in the homes of nice people it was and remains pretty much taboo to tell tales of labor's sufferings and derring-do.
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In Kurt Vonnegut Jr.'s book "Jailbird," he reflects on the treatment of labor history, suggesting that it has often been viewed as something taboo, akin to pornography. This perception reveals a societal reluctance to confront the struggles and bravery of workers, which are typically overlooked in public discourse and education.
Vonnegut implies that the challenges faced by laborers are not only uncomfortable topics but are often omitted from the narratives shared in schools and respectable homes. This absence highlights a broader issue of ignoring labor’s historical significance, reinforcing a disconnect between society's understanding of working conditions and the lived experiences of those who fight for workers’ rights.
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