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February 5, 2007
Rank and File
by Nova Stubbs, insurgent49

Dispatch From New York   


 “Skirts rippling like parachutes,
  girls hit the cobblestones, smell smoke,
  burnt flesh, girls cracking like cheap buttons
  disappearing like so many dropped stitches.”
 – Rose Rosenfeld


    Rose Rosenfeld was a survivor from the Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire that took place in New York City on March 25, 1911. 146 victims lost their lives in this tragedy, most of whom were foreign teenage girls. Some leapt from the top floors of the building to try and save themselves from the encroaching flames, while others simply burned to death.

    They were trapped inside rooms because the doors where locked form the outside in order to ensure that they finished their work. This fire ignited changes in the labor movement for women, immigrants, and textile workers.

    A few years ago I wrote a paper for school on this very topic, and today when I think of American tragedies, it still surfaces in my mind. Earlier this afternoon I was able to visit the location of this infamous fire, as part of a weeklong tour of New York City.

    The building is now part of the biochemistry department for New York University. A small plaque is bolted on the wall in order commemorate the lives lost in the fire. Gazing up the sides of the building didn’t make me feel sad, though I did want to pay my respects because this tragedy has for the most part been forgotten despite the fact that it caused such positive change.

    I am still in awe of the history of New York and despite the freezing cold today it was the amazing history that compelled my stalwart guide, Megan, and I to continue to explore. We went to the Stonewall Inn, a place that represents a turning point for gay and lesbian rights. In June of 1969, police raided this popular gay and lesbian bar, as they had done so many times before, but this time, for the first time the patrons fought back and riots erupted in the streets.

    We also went to the Five Points, which is depicted in the 2002 film Gangs of New York. Unfortunately, all of those buildings have been torn down and there is nothing left to see.  Courthouses now stand in the location. So, instead of being able to see the Five Points, I was able to see where bits of the TV series Law & Order are filmed.

     I just enjoyed being continually amazed, because after all, I am just a tourist form Alaska.

    Before I left, my husband tried to convince me to go to the site of the fallen World Trade Center. I saw no need, but after mulling it over for a bit, I was curious as to how it would make me feel.

   When we first arrived, there were a few foreigners at the site selling 9/11 memorabilia, but as we continued to circumnavigate the building the crowds began to appear as did plaques on walls and a designated memorial site.

    How did I feel? Like I was at someone’s funeral that I didn’t know, like it was none of my business. We walked by a man who was crying and people looking at the artwork with somber eyes, and I felt like this American tragedy was not mine. Just because it happened on American soil does not make it my tragedy. It is the people of New York who are the ones that truly suffered.

    Why did I feel differently at the World Trade Center site than I did at the Triangle Shirtwaist site? From the Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire came positive change. From 9/11 came a war that saddens me daily.

    One tragedy has been forgotten and the other still brings people to tears.


   

     

     

      Nova Stubbs is a freelance writer and activist, and is co-founder of Insurgent49. Nova resides in an undisclosed location in downtown Anchorage and may be contacted at nova@insurgent49.com.

     'Rank and File' appears on insurgent49.com every Monday.
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Rank and File
by Nova Stubbs

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in-sur-gent (in sur'jent), n. 1. a member of a group which revolts against the policies of its leadership.