Where’s our pride?

The Gay Pride parade today got me thinking about pride and parades.

Montreal is a city of festivals.  And, it seems that every festival has a parade celebrating the pride people have in their community – Carafete- celebrates the Carribean community, Comedy Fest – funny people and things, Canada Day – being Canadian, St Jean Baptiste – the historic roots of French Quebec and of course Gay Pride – celebrates the gay, lesbian and transgender community.

So, where is the parade that celebrates workers and the pride they have in the work they do?

Of course, labour day began as a celebration of “the economic and social achievements of workers“. At its centre was a big parade as this photo of Labour Day celebrations in 1900 clearly shows.

By the time I was born Labour Day parades were a thing of the distant past in my part of the world.  In fact, Labour Day had long since morphed into a celebration of the last weekend of the summer. Labour had little to do with it.

The closest thing to a pride in work parade I ever saw was the London Harness Horse Parade on an Easter weekend years ago.  The London Harness Horse Parade’s roots go back to the end of the 19th century.

The parade’s objective is “to improve the general condition and treatment of London’s working cart or heavy horses and to encourage drivers to take a humane interest in the welfare of their animals.” And, yet, as the men and women [sometimes many generations] and the symbols of their work – their horses, their carriages, their tools wearing the costumes or uniforms of their trade – walked by us for hours. Pride in their work and in the symbols of their work was palpable. It was beautiful. And, I hate to admit it, but there were moments that brought tears to my eyes.

Where’s our pride?  Can you imagine a parade devoted to celebrating workers/managers and their work in your community?  A parade that would give them a chance to show the pride they have in the work they do?  If so, what would it look like?  And, can I come?

 

Tags: Creating meaning, Pride, Work