On "Salt of the Earth"

To kick things off, I think it would be appropriate to give you basic background information on the film I will be discussing. With that introduction, the film is entitled The Salt of the Earth. It was directed by Herbert J. Biberman and was released in 1954. It is a truly inspiring work that describes the events leading up to and the results of the strike for equality at the Delaware Mining Company. It follows Esperanza and Ramon Quintero in the city of San Marcos to the Mexicans and Zinc Town to the ?Anglos? who changed its name. The miners strike because they want equality with the Anglo workers and striking is the only way to make this happen. Through turns and twists, the wives of the miners actually take their husbands spots on the picket lines and fight along side them. Upon saying that, as someone seeking knowledge on generally non discussed topics and as a scholar, I believe it is imperative that you watch and internalize this film. It is deeply powerful and will undoubtedly open your eyes to an array of things you probably never noticed before. It is located on Google Videos and I strongly recommend viewing it.

Right now, I would like to discuss this film in a historical perspective. In order to do this properly, I must first define what I mean by ?history.? The dictionary defines it as follows, ?the branch of knowledge dealing with past event?, ?a continuous, systematic narrative of past events as relating to a particular people, country, period, person, etc., usually written as a chronological account?,? acts, ideas, or events that will or can shape the course of the future; immediate but significant happenings.? In my definition, history is any event in the past that has shaped the present or is shaping the future in some distinct way. Although dates and facts are important in history, is not limited to simply that; rather it is about understanding how an event affects and alters the future following it. In saying such, there are two distinct ways that this film engages in historical events. The first way, and most apparent and evident, is that it visibly centers around the actual Empire Zinc Miner strike in Silver City, New Mexico in 1951. That is factual and recorded. The main events like the real strike and the women taking over happened in actuality. Clinton Jencks, portrayed as Frank Barnes in the film, was actually present throughout the strike in Silver City in 1951. Four years before the strike, the International Union of Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers, the IUMMSW, hired Jencks and sent him to Local 890, positioned in Silver City, New Mexico. On October 17, 1950, the men of Local 890 launched the strike for equality in wages and conditions. Just to clarify again that we are on the same page, a strike is a declaration in the suspension of work against an employer until certain demands are met. Jencks was part of the strike with the other miners and was also arrested with them for sixteen months on Jun 12, 1951. As in the movie, the wives of the miners really took over the picketing line. After roughly six months, the company consented to the majority of the demands of the workers. The Salt of the Earth is very true to historical accounts and is very closely based on true events. It is obvious to see the historical perspective of the film in this way. The foundation of the movie is based on concrete and definite events that impacted the future. What kind of impact do you think this strike had for the miners? Were all the implications positive? Put yourself in the shoes of these miners and their wives. Do you believe you could have participated and endured through a strike lasting fifteen or more months? Could you push through being tormented and possibly beaten for better working conditions? These are great questions that I deeply encourage you to consider. Fascinated and interested with labor strikes? Want to learn more? Go to this website and learn some more.

The second way, and most importantly in my opinion, this film incorporates history is how it addresses the rise of feminism. I do not believe that it was the forefront reason for making this film, but I truly believe it was a strong secondary meaning. Feminism is commonly accepted to have really gained momentum in the 1960?s. So it is easy to see that when this film was made, just six years prior, feminism was slowly gaining some energy and force. Before I delve any further into the subject, let me again do some defining for you so we are on the same page. The dictionary describes it as follows, ?the doctrine advocating social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men.? My definition coincides with the dictionary?s, but that explanation seems really formal in my eyes. When reading that, I imagined something along the lines of a group of women getting together and writing a formal doctrine. That obviously wasn?t the case, but that is how I imagined it. My definition is a little more relaxed and informal. I believe feminism is any action that women take in order to secure equality with men in any way, shape, or form.

Now that we are on the same page hopefully, I would like to show you a few ways the rise of feminism is portrayed in this film. Starting at 7:55 to roughly 8:45 in the film, gender roles are strictly set. We can see that Ramon clearly views Esperanza as being inferior to him. She is cleaning about the house and he is getting ready to go to the bar. Roles are clearly defined in this short segment. This is further developed in the section from 15:15 to about 16:15. Here the miners? wives are talking about going to the mine and picketing. Esperanza is instantly against it because her husband would disprove. Women are visibly seen as second-rate citizens at this time in the movie. Shortly after, we can see that this role starts to slowly change. The change starts small at 26:15 with a woman first watching the picket line and then eventually joining it. At 48:10, the shifting winds of change turn into a full blown hurricane. A woman proposes the idea that the wives take over the picket lines and it, after much debate and resistance from some of the men, becomes a reality. The last and probably the climax to the rise of feminism in this movie is at 1:19:00 to 1:20:50. In this segment, Esperanza stands up to Ramon and finally puts him in his place. She tells him that she will no longer be inferior to him and that without her, he cannot win this strike. This scene is quintessential feminism. Esperanza was declaring her equality to her husband and she was not backing down for anything or anyone. So I would like to leave you with some questions. What do you think you would have done had you been in Esperanza Quintero?s shoes? Would you have been able to defy your loved one entirely to be apart of something you strongly believe in? Would you have been able to fight a role that society had placed you in? I wholeheartedly recommend watching this movie and really putting yourself in her shoes. Think about the strength and conviction in oneself that it would take to do what Esperanza did. Savvy? If you are actually interested in researching feminism further, here are a few links that can tell you more information pertaining to it. Go forth and delve into knowledge. And just in case I haven?t made it distinctly clear, GO WATCH THE MOVIE. It is profound and if you truly let it sink in, it can alter your perspective on the world.

Brittany Adams =D

Here is the beginning of the movie. Watch a quick preview and then go here to watch it in full.