Josh Buermann flags this post by Kevin Carson which generated a lively exchange of comments and a short course in the history of Americanism. This essay by Walter Karp is a valuable guide to the when, where and why the dumbing down of American children got underway.
Buermann teases out some labour history and it reminded me of Paul Buhle’s excellent article The Legacy of the IWW in the June 2005 issue of Monthly Review, not available online but another version by Buhle can be found on the stunning site he and labour muralist Mike Alewitz have launched to complement the centennial Wobbly Tour for 2005.