WORK MEANS POWER, POWER MEANS SECURITY; Carlos Bulosan, Filipino Writer & Union Activist

Carlos Bulosan, Filipino writer & Union Activist. (1913 - 1956)

     Carlos Bulosan has captivated me from one short story! Perhaps it was not the way he wrote his story that captured my attention but it was learning about his struggle from a poor farm boy in the Philippines to Labor Activist in the United States that has me memorized. For years minorities in the United States have shared similar struggles in search of the American Dream. Like Bulosan, my father was a poor farm boy who left home to became a migrant worker seeking a good paying, steady job and a nice place to call home.  This is pretty much "The American Dream" or for some a nightmare.

     Similar to Bulosan's migrant worker days, my father told me stories about how migrants in his day were worked harder than the animals, while the bosses over-charged for the toiletries necessary to live on a farm. I once asked my dad, "How come the men didn't rise up and protest against the bosses?" He explained to me that "In the1950's Florida the KKK would murder union organizers and nothing would be done. Everyone was scared to complain or say the word... union." According to the stories my father shared about migrant life, Bulosan was accurately depicting what it is like for a poor worker to achieve "The American Dream." I realized that something similar happened to Bulosan and my father during their years as migrant workers; these men learned to live their lives with a purpose. 

Bulosan's Village in the Philippines

      In Bulosan's story, "I Would Remember" he tells his audience of five terrible deaths witnessed in youth including the death of his mother. Interestingly, of all five deaths one in particular changes his life. Bulosan says, "And I knew that all my life I would remember Leroy and all the things he taught me about living." Why is Leroy's death so memorable? In order to discover that one must examine each death in Bulosan's youth.

       The first death Bulosan sees as a child was his mother and it is the first time he questions the meaning of life and this is clear from his statement, "I was fearful of the motives of the living and the meaning of their presence on earth."  Bulosan develops fear and sees himself as powerless against unseen forces in the world after watching his mother suffer and die.

      The second death confirms Bulosan's powerlessness in the world as he helplessly watches his father kill the carabao that he regarded as a pet.  Bulosan was only ten years old and could not help the carabao, he could not calm his father's rage and he could not stop his father from killing the animal. It is fair to say Bulosan was feeling vulnerable and alone in the world.

      By the third death of Bulosan's story his friend Marco is stabbed to death during his voyage to America. After this death Bulosan tries to give Marco's life some meaning by making sure his suitcase is sent back to the Philippines and by keeping a photo of the fiance. When Bulosan arrived in America he struggles to find work during the Great Depression and he again feels powerless, which is symbolized by losing the photo of the fiance.

       Crispin comes along in Bulosan's life as he is jobless, lonely and discovering that America's streets are not paved with gold. Bulosan is reduced to begging for spare change but having Crispin with him keeps him from being lonely and gives Bulosan a meaning to his life through companionship. Crispin shows Bulosan a new perception of beauty in the world despite their dire situation. Bulosan's power and purpose dies when Crispin dies of hunger.

      The fifth and final death in Bulosan's life completely transforms him forever. Bulosan has never met anyone like Leroy who had so much courage. Leroy is a Union Organizer who teaches Bulosan and the other workers to stand up for themselves and that "work means power... and power means security."  Bulosan must have been impressed to meet a man who could speak so powerfully in the face of present danger. "Union" was a dirty word with mortal consequences for many years.

      When Leroy is murdered Bulosan makes no mention in the story that he ever begged for his life even though his genitals were cut, his left eye gouged out, his chest cut open, his tongue sliced and he is eventually hung from a tree. Imagine the feelings of anger and powerlessness Bulosan had after realizing another friend is dead and mutilated for empowering others.

      Leroy fought to help others gain their power so to Bulosan Leroy's death will not be in vain like everyone else. Bulosan found his purpose in life from the death of Leroy, which is why Leroy is remembered most. Bulosan goes on to become a Labor Activist undoubtedly from having known Leroy and his experiences as an immigrant and migrant worker during the Depression in the United States.

Pictures courtesy of Google & Life Magazine