Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Workers Rose on May Day or Postscript to Karl Marx" by Audre Lorde serves as both an homage to and a critique of the Marxist tradition. Written in 1973, during a time of social unrest and movements for civil rights, the poem presents May Day not just as a day of labor solidarity, but also as a symbol of broader struggles against systemic injustices, particularly those faced by marginalized communities. By aligning herself with and also distancing herself from Marxist ideals, Lorde reconfigures the parameters of labor, struggle, and revolution.

The title itself is a strong indication of the poem's thematic concerns. "Workers Rose on May Day" brings to mind the traditional international workers' day, which celebrates laborers and the working class, a central concern in Marxism. However, the addition of "Postscript to Karl Marx" signals that Lorde aims to extend or revise these very notions. As a Black woman and a feminist, Lorde inherently complicates the often class-centered discourse of Marxism to include intersections of race, gender, and sexuality.

The poem does not offer a simplistic celebration of workers rising; rather, it delves into the complexities of what 'rising' means. The act of rising does not solely belong to the factory worker, the miner, or the proletariat as traditionally understood. In Lorde's perspective, 'rising' is also the act of speaking, of making one's voice heard against systemic forms of oppression, be it patriarchal, racial, or heteronormative. The poem acknowledges the validity of Marx's critique of capitalism while also pointing out its limitations when it comes to addressing intersecting forms of discrimination and exploitation.

Another intriguing aspect is the poem's deliberate use of the term "postscript," which implies an addendum or afterthought. This could be seen as Lorde's way of saying that while Marx's theories made substantial contributions to understanding labor and class struggle, they are not exhaustive. There are stories, pains, and aspirations that are not fully addressed in Marxist discourse, hence the necessity for a "postscript," for an additional narrative that includes those who are doubly or triply marginalized.

By invoking May Day, a day traditionally associated with collective protest and action, Lorde emphasizes the unity required to combat multiple forms of oppression. It is as if she is inviting not only the working class but also women, people of color, and members of the LGBTQ+ community to partake in this day of rising, to expand the scope of what we consider to be 'labor' and who we consider to be 'workers.'

In conclusion, "Workers Rose on May Day or Postscript to Karl Marx" serves as both a tribute to and an expansion of Marxist theory, incorporating issues that intersect with class, such as race, gender, and sexuality. Lorde masterfully uses the poem to challenge the narrow definitions and traditional boundaries often associated with labor and struggle. As a postscript, the poem not only adds to but also alters the text to which it refers, asking us to reconsider what we think we know about work, struggle, and the collective action needed to bring about a more equitable world.

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