Dear Cousin George

Having trouble with your new cell phone? Do you hate technology? Do you want to crush every electrical appliance in your home? If you answered yes to any of those questions than people may think you are a Luddite. But the truth is that is not what a Luddite is. A Luddite was a skilled weaver, mechanic or other person good with their hands that revolted during the Industrial Revolution. They followed a mythical man named Ned Ludd or sometimes Sir/King Ludd. There was a myth that he was working at his machine and an overseer said he was doing it wrong. Ned picked up a hammer and crushed the whole machine. The Luddites were mainly opposed to how the technology was used and who was using it. They believed skilled workers like themselves, for good wages, should man the machines. Because machines were getting more efficient and faster the businesses could fire all the skilled workers and instead replace them with young girls for lower pay. The Luddites would protest against the businesses and at times had acts of violence. But more often the Luddites would get hurt more by the guards sent to protect the factories rather than the Luddites imposing pain on others. They just wanted to get their point across but sometimes that harmed them. Below will be a fake letter to a cousin from the perspective of a skilled weaver.

Dear George,

As you know I work in a factory that makes clothing and other items involving weaving. You won’t believe this but all the workers are protesting. All of the men I thought to be my friends are revolting against the factory. They call themselves the Luddites and sadly I am one of them. I had no choice, it was either my job or turn my back on all my fellow workmen. I agree with some of the things they say but the violence is not needed. They are protesting for higher wages since they are skilled workers who are working the machines. But the machines are getting easier to control. Now the factory even replaced us with little girls. The machines are so easy little girls can handle the. The factories don’t need skilled workers like the others and me. Handlooms are gone and the machines are doing everything nowadays. Because of the Luddites I have no job and my life is at risk. If anyone destroys a machine and the police say I did it, I will be thrown in jail or even killed! Before the Industrial Revolution and the workers revolting I had a well paying job. People valued us skilled workers and treat us with respect. No we are just seen as ignorant and violent. I have no choice. I can’t go back to working. I guess I will just have to be part of the luddites and revolt and bring down the factories. Wish me luck George.

Sincerely,

Matthew

Luddites destroying a machine

King Ludd

Images:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luddite