I’m in the IAM 751, Aerospace Machinists Union.

The issue of the coming Union contract negotiation is a topic that the shop has been discussing increasingly. It’s derailing tasks individuals are working on. Not wanting to be drawn into an in-depth discussion (because you know how I can get), I simply summarized my own view with, “Workers of the world, unite!”

I put my headphones back in to grok a particular task.

…time passes…

Mother of God, apparently I unintentionally opened a bigger can of worms.

For those who don’t know, the phrase, “Workers of the world, unite!” originates[1] from The Communist Manifesto written by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in 1848. The statement is one of the most recognizable rallying calls advocating for the international solidarity of the working class against capitalist exploitation and oppression.

And that’s where I draw the line.

I don’t agree with the body of their manifesto because, while it does present an analytical approach to the class struggle (historical and then-present) and the conflicts of capitalism, things have changed in the world in the past 176 years.

But this rant isn’t about Unions — and certainly not about communism. Instead, it’s about seeing value in some remarks even if you don’t agree wholeheartedly with whoever penned the specific excerpt.

Let me explain.

[deep breath]

The ability to appreciate or find value in specific aspects of a work, while not necessarily aligning with its overall message or philosophy, is a sign of critical thinking. It speaks to the complexity of human thought and our capacity to engage with ideas selectively, resonating with what speaks to us personally or intellectually, regardless of the broader context.

This phenomenon is not unique to “The Communist Manifesto.” Throughout history, various statements, concepts, and symbols from philosophical, literary, and artistic works have taken on lives of their own, inspiring individuals and movements in ways their original creators might not have anticipated or fully endorsed.

It’s a testament to the power of ideas to evolve and resonate across different contexts and interpretations.

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[1] – “Workers of the World, Unite!” is a popularization of the last sentences of Chapter IV, Position of the Communists in Relation to the Various Existing Opposition Parties of The Communist Manifesto. That chapter was written originally in German by Friedrich Engels and reads, “Proletarier aller Länder, vereinigt euch!” which more directly translates to “Proletarians of all countries, unite!”