Notes

15 Reasons You Shouldn't Overlook Black Washer
Black Washer History

It's the most popular color for refrigerators, ovens and cooktops, but it's also stealing the spotlight in laundries. Black washers are sure to bring an edgy look to your home.

To snag a stylish black washer that looks great in your home, look for models with sleek finishes and ample space to hold large loads.

The Strike

In the summer of 1881, 20 African American laundresses formed a group called the Washing Society and began organizing protests to demand higher wages for their work. They approached their social and church organizations to help spread the message. In just three weeks the membership of the Washing Society was increased from a mere twenty-five to 3000. The Washing Society went door-to-door, visited churches, and spoke at public gatherings to urge other laundresses in their movement. White business and government officials began responding by threatening fines and incarcerating leaders of the group. They also tried to destabilize the group by recommending the tax of members of the Washing Society and by building a steam laundry to drive the women in the laundry out of business.

Despite these attempts to derail the strike, the women did not back down. They continued to protest and earned more and more support of other domestic workers like cooks and maids, as well nurses and hotel workers who all demanded a higher wage for their jobs. The City Council finally gave in and agreed that the Washing Society could pay a $25 per year 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 the council was concerned about losing control of the labor market. In an attempt to stop the power of the black washer it began an initiative to impose the $25 annual fee on all laundry workers, regardless of whether they were members of the Washing Society.

The washerwomen were an element to be reckoned, and their perseverance resulted in a successful conclusion. Their success was a lesson in the incredible power that black workers were able to use when they organized and unified to fight for a better life for their families and communities. Today the legacy of washerwomen and their dedication to decent work lives on through the work of organizations like the National Domestic Workers Alliance and the Fight for $15.

The legacy that the Washing Society left behind is evident even though the result of their strike remains uncertain. It was a reminder of the immense strength black workers have and an inspiration for future generations to stand up against injustice and to work together to achieve greater equality.


The Washing Society

In the summer of 1881 20 African American washerwomen met to create the Washing Society, or union to fight for better wages, respect, and control over their work. They employed methods of grassroots organizing to reach neighborhoods by door-to-door canvassing, and local ward meetings in order to recruit laundresses. In just three weeks, the strike expanded to over 3,000 participants. Though white newspapers have criticized them for their use of militant direct action, it was highly effective in gaining the strength and unity needed to win.

Their demand for a dollar per 12 pounds of laundry could significantly increase their income. They successfully persuaded customers to support their cause and even encouraged other domestic workers such as cooks, maids, and nurses to organize. This remarkable feat demonstrated the power of black women to mobilize in mass and use grassroots strategies to disrupt the business routine.

These women, like many others in the South had limited options for employment other than sharecropping and household labor. Many women emigrated to cities in search of better employment opportunities such as maids or cooks. These positions provided more freedom than the rural jobs, but the pay was only subsistence, and was not enough to support a family.

In Reconstruction Black women's work was viewed as essential to the city and could not be ignored. The Washerwomen's Strike was a reminder that the white establishment was unable to function without these women. The success of the Washing Society's campaign demonstrated the necessity of respect and dignity in the workplace.

The Washing Society shows how the strategies that were used in the past are still applicable today. In black 7kg washing machine when the industry of laundry is becoming automated and controlled by corporate companies, this film offers an alternative story of worker resistance that aims to empower all working people. Join co-directors Lizzie Olesker, Lynne Sachs, and Silvia Federici as they moderate an open discussion following the screening.

The City of Atlanta

In the summer of 1881 twenty laundresses from Atlanta formed the Washing Society and started a strike to earn more money. The Society quickly grew to three thousand members through door-to-door canvassing, and with the help of local black churches. Municipal authorities began securing fines and incarcerating Washing Society women, but they refused to surrender. They refused to stop protesting until they got an income of $1.

Twenty years after the official ending of slavery in the United States, African American communities suffered from brutal violence and oppression. Lynchings were commonplace, and Jim Crow laws gave African Americans limited access to schools, the military, and labor unions. The women's strike in Atlanta is a shining example of the power of unions and persistence during this terrible period.

The success of the Washing Society inspired other urban African American organizations to organize and fight for their rights. Many of these groups merged with others in a national campaign for civil rights, which eventually led to the creation of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in 1903.

In addition to its flourishing civil rights movements, the city of Atlanta was experiencing economic and industrial growth. In 1940, the population of Atlanta was over 496.973 and was growing at more than 70k per year. The city's landscape was altered by the expansion of automobiles, businesses and other industries. As the city grew, it spread out into a variety of ring-like neighborhoods, which 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.

The city of Atlanta is a bustling metropolitan area with many cultural centers and landmarks which include the High Museum of Art, the Woodruff Arts Center, Piedmont Park as well as the Margaret Mitchell House, and the Atlanta Botanical Garden. The city also houses many bars and restaurants and is a major regional business and sports center. The city is also a major military center and a center of federal government activities in the Southeast.

The Struggle

If these black specks aren't detergent or fabric softener, they could be hardened by the lubricant in the washer's transmission, or dirt specks on your clothes (like faux leather jackets and raincoats). These black specks may be an indication of a component that is slowly disintegrating. Ian suggests looking at the particles to determine where they came from.

Many issues can be solved with just a few cycles of vinegar and a thorough cleaning. One Reddit user reported that after 10 vinegar cycles and using Affresh tablets, the flakes had disappeared from their washer. Like this user it, you could also run several tub-cleaning cycles and use the right amount of detergent. This can help to prevent buildup from the beginning. If the tub in your washer is damaged, it might not be of much use.

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