You're Wrong About The Newsboys' Strike of 1899 (Part 2)
Nov 30, 2020
Sarah and Mike discuss the thrilling conclusion of a children's labor action, a forgotten Disney musical, and their love for saying 'papes.' They reference books for information, explore the impact of the Newsboys' Strike on popular culture, and reflect on compromise and worker solidarity.
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Paintings That Framed Newsboy Identities
- Art of the era depicted two contrasting newsboy types: wholesome and rough.
- Paintings framed newsboys as cultural symbols, feeding adult debates about youth and urban life.
Actual 1899 Newsboy Footage
- Film footage from May 1899 shows chaotic street distribution as boys scramble a newspaper cart.
- The clip highlights the disorderly, competitive nature of street vending before unionization.
Youth-Led Organization Mirrored Adult Unions
- The 1899 strike organized like adult unions with delegates and neighborhood coordination.
- Youth-led structure and prior local strikes made their rapid, citywide action possible.