Detroit: I Do Mind Dying

Detroit: I Do Mind Dying chronicles the Black labor movement in Detroit during the 1960s and early 1970s, focusing on the League of Revolutionary Black Workers. The book follows the rise of radical union activism at Detroit's auto plants and its connection to the broader civil rights movement. The narrative centers on key figures and organizations within Detroit's Black labor movement, including DRUM (Dodge Revolutionary Union Movement) and other revolutionary union groups. Through interviews and primary sources, the authors document the day-to-day realities of factory work, union politics, and community organizing during this pivotal period. The authors examine the complex relationships between Black workers, traditional labor unions, plant management, and the city's political establishment. The book details the strategies used by Black workers to fight workplace discrimination and unsafe conditions while building autonomous organizations. This work presents an essential study of race, class, and power in industrial America, revealing how grassroots movements challenged both corporate power and traditional union structures. The authors demonstrate the deep connections between workplace organizing and broader community struggles for social justice.

Readers value the detailed account of Detroit's Black labor movements in the 1960s-70s, particularly the focus on the League of Revolutionary Black Workers. Many reviewers note the book fills gaps in labor history that other texts overlook. Readers appreciate: - First-hand accounts from workers and activists - Documentation of specific strikes and organizing tactics - Connection between civil rights and labor movements - Coverage of radical Black newspapers like Inner City Voice Common criticisms: - Dense writing style can be difficult to follow - Assumes prior knowledge of Detroit's history - Limited coverage of women's roles in the movement - Some readers wanted more analysis of the movement's decline Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (437 ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (31 ratings) One reader noted: "The authors let the workers speak for themselves rather than imposing their own interpretation." Another criticized: "The chronological jumps made it hard to track the movement's progression."

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🏭 The book's title comes from a song by Joe L. Carter, "Please Mr. Foreman," which was popular among Detroit auto workers and included the line "I don't mind working, but I do mind dying." ⚡ The League of Revolutionary Black Workers, a central focus of the book, managed to shut down Chrysler's Dodge Main assembly plant in 1969 through organized wildcat strikes, costing the company millions. 📚 Co-author Dan Georgakas was not just an observer - he actively participated in Detroit's radical movements of the 1960s and taught at the city's Wayne State University during the period covered in the book. 🎥 The book details how the League created their own film company, Black Star Productions, and produced the documentary "Finally Got the News" to spread their message beyond Detroit. 🌟 When first published in 1975, the book was controversial for revealing how traditional union leadership, including the UAW, often worked against black workers' interests despite claiming to represent them.