Engraving of Ned Ludd, Leader of the Luddites, 1812, wearing a spotted powder blue gown, with red scarf and blue hand band, urging followers on, as a mill burns in the background. By Unknown. 195 years since publication, copyright extinguished - Working Class Movement Library catalogue, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2603296

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   MikeDunnAuthor (mikedunnauthor@kolektiva.social)'s status on Saturday, 20-Jan-2024 00:44:59 JST MikeDunnAuthor

   Today in Labor History January 19, 1812: Luddites torched Oatlands Mill in Yorkshire, England. In order to avoid losing their jobs to machines, Luddites destroyed equipment in protest. Their movement was named for Ned Ludd, a fictional weaver who supposedly smashed knitting frames after being whipped by his boss. Luddite rebellions continued from 1811-1816, until the military quashed their uprising.

   Chant no more your old rhymes about bold Robin Hood
   His feats I but little admire
   I will sing the Achievements of General Ludd
   Now the Hero of Nottinghamshire.

   The sentiment for this poem comes from the fact that Robin Hood was a paternalistic hero, a displaced aristocrat who stole from his class brethren and gave to the poor; whereas Ned Ludd represented the autonomy and self-sufficiency of the working class.

   #workingclass #LaborHistory #luddite #sabotage #vandalism #robinhood #rebellion #military #uprising #solidarity #technology #poetry @bookstadon