the strike at yale university. let the yale daily news educate you on the issues, then read the kitchen cabinet for some good perspectives.
i don't want to get involved with the politics of the issue, but i happened to drive through the middle of campus today, and this is what i saw. mind you, this is just what i saw, let's pretend i didn't even know that anyone was striking.
one aspect of this saga is clear, the allegiance of the weather. clearly the weather is siding with the administration, no questions asked. a sunny, warm day would declare the weather's preference for the striking parties, while an overcast but tolerable day designates partiality. however, a 17 degree thermometer and a three degree windchill makes this one a no brainer. as this is only the first day of the strike the weather may have a change of heart, so check back for daily (if not hourly) assessments of the weather's alliance.
driving down grove street, i noticed a small group of workers on strike, bundled in multiple jackets with their faces burried in their hoods. having to hug yourself in order to keep warm hinders the ability to really advertise the 'strike' sign hanging on your neck and chest.
at the intersection of elm and college, strikers were gathered on the corners. if they were not wearing bright signs that said 'strike' my first guess would be that this mass of people was leaving a wedding and heading to the reception. they looked jolly and happy. many people seemed to have that twinkle in the eye, nostalgic of a middle school snow day or half day, 'what do i do with all this time'? that excitement and anxiety of not being in school when you should, and not knowing what to do about it.
the strikers in front of phelps gate, picketing from phelps to the college/elm corner, appeared to be mingling, smiling and chatting. it looked more like rally outside the bus of the high school basketball team heading to the championships.
news trucks, media cars and reporters are sprinkles around the campus. ok, so this doesn't seem out of the ordinary for a strike.
this happens to be the only strike i have ever seen in person. i'm used to watching footage of strikers on the local news, or photos in the papers. both of which portray strikers as disgruntled, and determined to make something happen. the images i saw this morning (including one man who had his dog on a leash in the picket line) differed from any strike images i recall. i don't know exactly what that means, but it all increases my interest in the events. now i must get uber-informed.