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    Vol.60/No.29           August 19, 1996 
 
 
25 & 50 Years Ago  

August 6, 1971
The recent issue of La Raza (Vol. 1, #6) is an example of how the emerging movement of Chicanas for liberation is catching on.

Both articles point out that much talent goes untapped because Chicanas are forced to remain in the background of the movement. The argument that Chicanas organizing as women will divide the movement is not valid, one article points out, because such divisions have already been created by this system and cannot be ignored. It is because of these divisions that women must organize ourselves before we can forge unity with other social forces fighting the same oppressor.

The articles express concern that Chicanas are not politically active in proportion to our numbers in the population, and that of those involved, only a small number are recognized as leaders.

The Chicana must organize herself, but she must also see her struggle as an integral part of the total struggle of La Raza for liberation. She must be able to identify the real oppressor - the system - and must be ready to fight this system alongside her Chicano brothers.

August 10, 1946
The great city of Calcutta - approximately the size of Detroit - lay helpless last week before the mighty strength of the Indian working masses. For 24 hours, on July 29, the city was closed down tight by a hartal, or general strike.

Nearly half a million workers - about a fifth of the entire population of the city -joined in a vast march to Dalhousie Square in the center of the city, where an immense mass demonstration was held. The AP report states that "the marchers remained orderly."

In view of the fact that between 400,000 and 500,000 workers were participating, this is a significant indication of the degree of organization and discipline among these marching masses. All business places and factories were closed down. No newspaper was issued in the city. In the European section, shop- owners covered their doors and windows with steel grills. All but the most essential municipal services were halted.

This vast general strike was called in sympathy with the strike of postal and telegraph workers throughout India who walked out July 10, crippling communication services, especially in the key cities of Bombay and Calcutta.  
 
 
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