Co-authored by Erica Smiley and Sarita Gupta, “The Future We Need: Organizing for A Better Democracy in the Twenty-First Century” is a holistic exploration of labor organization and workers’ power. The book, which details the experiences of real-life members of the workforce, stresses the intrinsic strength of achieving autonomy over one’s own labor practices.
“The Future We Need” is contextualized by a vast history of labor movements. The book, published in 2022, functions as an accessible device for individuals working within unjust labor complexes, and in examining the failings of the past, looks forward.
On Tuesday’s edition of Closer Look, co-author Erica Smiley discussed “The Future We Need: Organizing for A Better Democracy in the Twenty-First Century” alongside Southern labor movement activist Sanchioni Butler, one of the organizers profiled in the book.
As worker’s movements across the nation continue to grow, Butler is hopeful for the fate of labor organizing.
“This is the worker rising movement,” Butler said. “I’m proud of these young people because they’re advocating for themselves and their co-workers. This movement is not going to stop. It’s going to continue to progress.”
