United States

Today, May Day, workers, students, immigrants, and all those who struggle for equality and democracy worldwide will take to the streets in a show of strength and solidarity. On May Day 2013, coming just a week after a factory collapse in Bangladesh cost the lives of more than 400, as technocrats in Brussels continue to bleed the sick economies of Southern Europe with self-defeating austerity measures, and here, in the United States, as more and more men and women, young and old alike are added to rolls of the precarious workforce, we at The Mantle add our voices to all those in the square:

[read Part 1]

Looking at America’s First State-Tribal Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Looking at America’s First State-Tribal Truth and Reconciliation Commission

BEIJING - As I sat in my apartment, my lungs had this horrible feeling, and for maybe the first time living in Beijing I had a feeling of not wanting to go outside, not wanting to expose myself to any more of the air pollution. As I sat on the couch contemplating going to refill my water jugs, a 100 yard walk away I saw that the air pollution was reading over 700 for the US Embassy and was even off the charts for the Chinese Ministry of Environmental Protection. A reading of 300 or more would be a state of emergency in the United States.

The peasant engaged in backbreaking work is a common motif in paintings. Characteristics of the theme include peasants bent and crumpled (often below a horizon, earthbound), faces hidden (anonymous), and painted realistically (rather than in exalted or virtuous tones).

"Sinner Man" is a traditional, American spiritual. At least one blogger claims the song has roots in the Appalachians, by way of Scotland, though I can find no evidence to back that up. The earliest recording we have is from 1956. In the subsequent fifty-plus years, the song has been covered, deconstructed, reconfigured, and re-interpreted by musicians around the world.

Eduardo Resendiz, 22, is eager for the elections to be over. If Obama wins, he could legally work in the America. (JIKA GONZALEZ/The Bronx Ink)

I'm enthralled by the music video for Damian Marley and Skrillex's song "Make it Bun Dem" and the many artistic and political elements at play. Hat tip to Carol Ann for bringing the video to my attention, and then dissecting the piece with me over a Moroccan-French brunch one Saturday.

by Dewaine Farria

Maria arrived to the United States when she was only 2 years old. She has lived in White Plains, New York for most of her life, and while she considers herself to be an American, she is still an undocumented immigrant under U.S. law.

Maria works as a tattoo artist at La Tinta de la Santa Muerte, a tattoo and piercing shop that she runs with her family.