O’Brien, or “OB” as he is known to his friends, takes a rap music approach to workplace issues. He likes to say he is a hybrid of a rapper and an activist – a “raptivist.” As lead singer of the band, “Kill the Autocrat,” O’Brien takes on the establishment.
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| Michael Fraser O\'Brien |
O’Brien not only talks the talk, he walks it. He and the other members of United Steelworkers Local 6500 endured a yearlong strike, from the summer of 2009 to the summer of 2010, to fight concessions when their mine was sold to a large Brazilian company intent on cutting labor costs and crushing unions.
“Using the economic crisis, they forced us out,” O’Brien said.
Much as the Industrial Workers of the World used music to inspire them a century ago, the striking workers found hope in songs that voiced their concerns.
“I’m not here to get you discouraged. But your $100 shirt was made by children in Honduras,” goes another tune by “Kill the Autocrat.”
O’Brien is a third generation miner whose parents and grandparents were also Steelworkers. He says the labor movement must make a concerted effort to build class consciousness, because many young people don’t always see how they are exploited, even when the evidence is right in front of them.
In his music, “the whole concept is about killing the tyranny in your everyday life,” he said. “Stand up – don’t be afraid.”
O’Brien said the Next Up summit is a great opportunity for young workers to network and share their skills.
“Everybody has their little piece of the puzzle,” he said. “Not everyone can stand up and give a speech. I have my music.”
Download a free copy of "One Day Longer"
Video of the "Kill the Autocrat" performing at the protests in Madison
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O’Brien, or “OB” as he is known to his friends, takes a rap music approach to workplace issues. He likes to say he is a hybrid of a rapper and an activist – a “raptivist.” As lead singer of the band, “Kill the Autocrat,” O’Brien takes on the establishment.
|
| Michael Fraser O\’Brien |
“One day longer – the people’s voice is stronger!” he intones in the opening lyrics of their song, “One Day Longer,” which the group performed in Madison last March during the protests against Governor Scott Walker’s attacks on collective bargaining.
O’Brien not only talks the talk, he walks it. He and the other members of United Steelworkers Local 6500 endured a yearlong strike, from the summer of 2009 to the summer of 2010, to fight concessions when their mine was sold to a large Brazilian company intent on cutting labor costs and crushing unions.
“Using the economic crisis, they forced us out,” O’Brien said.
Much as the Industrial Workers of the World used music to inspire them a century ago, the striking workers found hope in songs that voiced their concerns.
“I’m not here to get you discouraged. But your $100 shirt was made by children in Honduras,” goes another tune by “Kill the Autocrat.”
O’Brien is a third generation miner whose parents and grandparents were also Steelworkers. He says the labor movement must make a concerted effort to build class consciousness, because many young people don’t always see how they are exploited, even when the evidence is right in front of them.
In his music, “the whole concept is about killing the tyranny in your everyday life,” he said. “Stand up – don’t be afraid.”
O’Brien said the Next Up summit is a great opportunity for young workers to network and share their skills.
“Everybody has their little piece of the puzzle,” he said. “Not everyone can stand up and give a speech. I have my music.”
Download a free copy of "One Day Longer"
Video of the "Kill the Autocrat" performing at the protests in Madison