Notes

14 Common Misconceptions Concerning Black Washer
Black Washer History

It's the most popular color for ovens, refrigerators, and cooktops, but it's also stealing the spotlight in laundries. Black washers are the newest laundry appliances that promise to add bold style to your home.

Look for models with elegant finishes and plenty of space to hold large loads.

The Strike

Twenty African American laundresses organized a group in the summer of 1881 called the Washing Society, and went on strike to demand a better wage for their work. They approached their churches and social groups to help them in spreading the word. In just three weeks the membership of the Washing Society was increased from a mere twenty-five to 3,000. The Washing Society spoke in public and went door-to-door visiting churches, and encouraged other laundresses to join their cause. White-owned businesses and city officials responded by threating fines and arresting the leaders of the organization. They also tried to undermine this group by proposing to members of the Washing Society, and by building a Steam Laundry to drive out the women who wash clothes.

Despite these attempts to derail their strike, the women refused to give up. They continued to protest and earned the support of other domestic workers, including cooks and maids, as well nurses and hotel workers who all demanded higher wages for their jobs. The City Council finally gave in and agreed that the Washing Society could pay a annual fee of $25 in exchange for their autonomy.

The city council was not thrilled with the decision. The nascent union threatened to organize the other domestic workers of the city, too and the council was worried about losing control of the market for labor. In an effort to stop the growing power of the black washer, it launched an effort to impose the annual fee of $25 for all laundry workers, regardless of whether they were members of the Washing Society.

The washerwomen were a force to be reckoned with and their perseverance was rewarded in the end. Their success was a testament to the power that black workers can harness when they organize and unite to fight for a more hygienic life for themselves as well as for their communities. The legacy of the washerwomen, and their dedication to dignified labor, lives on today through the work of organizations like the National Domestic Workers Alliance and Fight for $15.

Although the outcome of the Washing Society's strike remains uncertain however, the legacy they left with their mark is clear. It was a reminder of the immense power that black workers possess and a source of inspiration for the next generations to fight injustice and fight for greater equality.

The Washing Society

In the summer of 1881 20 African American washerwomen met to form the Washing Society, or union to fight for better wages and respect, as well as control over their work. Using grassroots organizing strategies, they went door-to-door canvassing and local ward meetings to attract laundresses into their organization. In just three weeks, their strike grew from 20 members to over 3000. While the media largely criticized their decision to take a direct, militant action, this was highly efficient in gaining the strength and unity required to prevail.

Their demand of one dollar per 12 pounds of laundry could significantly increase their own income. They were able convince customers to support them and inspired domestic workers such as cooks, nurses and maids to organize. This remarkable success demonstrated the power of black women to organize in large numbers and use grassroots strategies to disrupt business routine.

As with many others in the South had limited alternatives for work other than sharing crops and household work. Many women emigrated to cities to find better opportunities to work, such as working as cooks, maids, or maids. These jobs offered more freedom than rural jobs, however the pay was not sufficient to provide a family with enough.

In Reconstruction Black women's work was viewed as essential to the city and shouldn't be overlooked. The Washerwomen’s Strike served as an opportunity to remind the white establishment couldn't be successful without these women. The success of the Washing Society's campaign demonstrated the importance of respect and dignity at work.

The Washing Society shows how the strategies that were used in the past remain relevant in the present. In a time where the laundry industry is increasingly automated and dominated by corporations The film provides an alternative narrative of resistance by workers that seeks to empower all working people. Join co-directors Lizzie Olesker, Lynne Sachs and Silvia Federici as they moderate an after-show discussion.

The City of Atlanta

Twenty laundresses from Atlanta formed the Washing Society in the summer of 1881. They then began a protest for more pay. Through washersanddryers -to-door canvassing and support from local black churches, the Society quickly grew to three thousand members. Municipal authorities began arresting and fining Washing Society members, but the women refused to be discouraged. They would not stop protesting until they were awarded the one-dollar wage.

Twenty years after the official end of slavery in the United States, African American communities were subject to brutal violence and oppression. Lynchings were commonplace and Jim Crow laws limited African Americans access to education as well as labor unions and the military. In the midst of this terrible period, the strike of the washerwomen in Atlanta stands out as a remarkable success story of worker organization and perseverance.

The success of the Washing Society inspired other urban African American organizations to organize and fight for their rights. Many of these groups teamed with other groups to create a national civil rights movement that led to the formation of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (1903).

Atlanta's industrial and economic growth was the result of its civil rights movement. In 1940, the city had a total population of over 496,973 and was growing at a rate of 70k per year. The automobile and other industrial and business expansion continued to alter the city's landscape. As the city grew, it spread out into a number of ring-like neighborhoods that included Home Park and Virginia Highland on the north, Candler Park/Edgewood on the east and Sylvan Hills, West End on the south and Washington Park, a Black suburban development--on the west.

Today, the city of Atlanta is a bustling metropolitan area that has many cultural centers and landmarks such as the High Museum of Art, the Woodruff Arts Center, Piedmont Park, the Margaret Mitchell House, and the Atlanta Botanical Garden. The city also is home to numerous bars and restaurants, and is a hub for regional business and professional sports. Additionally the city remains a major military center and is a hub for federal government activities in the Southeast.

The Struggle


If the black specks don't come from detergent or fabric softener they could be an lubricant that is hardened inside your washer's transmission or even dirt on your clothing. (For instance faux leather jackets and raincoats). These black specks could be a sign of a washer component that is gradually breaking down. Ian suggests examining the particles to determine where they came from.

Many issues can be fixed by a few vinegar cycles and a thorough cleaning. One Reddit user said that after running 10 vinegar cycles and using Affresh tablets the flakes disappeared from their washer. As this user did it, you can also run several tub-cleaning cycles and use the correct amount of detergent. This can help stop the buildup from forming in the first place. But, if your washer's tub seal has been damaged, it might not do much good.

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