Detroit Industry at the DIA

After viewing the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) Monet to Dali exhibit this morning, we stopped by Rivera Court to take in the Detroit Industry fresco cycle. It is one of the best examples of Diego Rivera's work. The walls of the court are covered with Detroit work life in the 1930s. I was particularly drawn to the center panel on the north wall. The one that depicts factory workers in the Ford River Rouge Plant.

As I studied the panel, I reflected on the problems currently facing the American auto manufacturers. I wondered if Rivera could ever have imagined the current industry crisis. In fact, could anyone have imagined that the results of the burgeoning labor movement would eventually play a major role in the demise of thousands of jobs in Detroit and Southeast Michigan.

When did unions and management become so greedy? First there was idled workers getting paid "sit around, watching movies or doing crossword puzzles" at the Jobs Bank and now the auto executive fiasco of a trip to Washington.

As I looked at the faces of the factory workers in the panel I wondered if corporate jets and crossword puzzles were part of their hopes and dreams.