The American labor movement has a history of using strong language to shame workers who are seen as traitors to their cause. One term that has been used consistently is ‘scab,’ which refers to a worker who crosses a picket line or refuses to join a union.

Origins of the Term

The term ‘scab’ originated in Medieval Europe, where it was used to describe someone with corrupt or immoral character. In the 19th century, American workers began using the term to attack peers who refused to join a union or worked during strikes.

Many labor leaders have used the term to shame workers who they see as betraying their fellow workers. For example, Jack London, a socialist and author, wrote a scathing essay called ‘Ode to a Scab’ in 1915, in which he described a scab as a ‘two-legged animal with a corkscrew soul.’

Racial Tensions and the ‘Scab’ Label

However, the use of the term ‘scab’ has also been used to divide workers along racial lines. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many labor unions excluded black workers or discriminated against them. As a result, black workers were often forced to work as ‘scabs’ in order to find employment.

This created a stigma around black workers, with many white labor leaders and workers viewing them as ‘scabs’ or traitors to the labor movement. This stigma persisted even as black workers fought for union membership and better working conditions.

Today, the term ‘scab’ is still used to shame workers who cross picket lines or refuse to join a union. However, it is also important to understand the complex history and context behind the term, and to recognize the ways in which it has been used to divide workers along racial lines.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.