Co-workers live their dreams through art MANHATTAN — A little more than a century ago and prompted by a wage cut, hundreds of textile workers staged a fast moving walkout at mills across Lawrence, Mass., in what became known as the “Bread and Roses Strike.” The slogan was inspired by a speech given by Rose Schneiderman in which she said “the worker must have bread, but she must have roses, too,” meaning that workers need time for their own lives. For two state workers at the New York State Psychiatric Institute, smelling the roses through the arts is a culmination of hard earned struggles like those fought by mostly immigrant women, long ago. Member shows the ‘write’ stuff Malarie Mitchell, a lifelong Harlem resident and payroll office assistant at the psychiatric institute, is proud of her “Deadly Secrets.” Her debut novel is the culmination of years of dreaming of becoming a published author. She was inspired to write by bestselling author Sidney Sheldon. “I always knew that I wanted to be a writer, said Mitchell. “I could not put (Sheldon’s) books down.” Mitchell’s “Deadly Secrets” is a mystery novel revolving around the murder of a teen on a Harlem basketball court. The plot’s twists and turns have intrigued many readers. While the characters in her books are fictional, Mitchell admits that they are also similar to personalities with whom many people are familiar. Mitchell said that while she’s always had the passion to write, her biggest catalyst was her grandson. “I wanted to show him that he could do anything he set his mind to,” she said. The manuscript for “Deadly Secrets” sat on her dresser for four years until she picked it up, read a few pages and thought to herself, “this is good!” She studied the process for selfpublishing and committed herself to fulfilling her dream. “I just cried when I got the first book,” said Mitchell. “The only thing that could top that feeling was when my son was born.” She’s already sold more than 300 books and is planning some local book readings. One of Mitchell’s colleagues who took her book on a Hawaiian vacation recently paid her the ultimate compliment when he complained that it had ruined his vacation because he could not put the book down. Friends and co-workers have also told her that she should turn the novel into a film. Some have also asked her for a sequel. “I didn’t see that before,” said Mitchell. “Now I can.” Mitchell’s book sells for $10 and she’s created a discount for CSEA members. Visit http://iurban.org/ hush-videos/item/421-deadly-secrets to find the book. Mitchell recently wrote a short story and is working on more novels. She hopes co-workers and people in the community will also be inspired to create and tap into their talents. “Just because you may see things that get you down, you don’t have to succumb to your environment,” said Mitchell. “We’re everyday people, we get labeled, but we’re hardworking people like everyone else.” Roman with his painting. Struggles result in beauty In the same building, engineer Angelo Roman is standing next to a recently finished portrait of a majestic sailing vessel nearing some rough and rocky shores. His creation could have been a metaphor for his life. Three years ago, he underwent a quadruple bypass surgery. However, this avid bicyclist and former Merchant Marine knew he needed more time to paint. He learned to paint by watching Bob Ross on PBS. “He made it so easy,” said Roman. He’s been painting, mostly landscapes, for the last nine years and has either sold or given away dozens of works. Some have been displayed in offices and public spaces throughout the hospital. Now, 37 years after he first started at the Psychiatric Institute and three months from retiring, Roman intends to keep on painting and perhaps even take an art class, do some gardening and learn how to cook. “I take a lot pictures,” said Roman, a married father of two grown children, who will often take dozens of photos while kayaking, cycling or commuting to work. “I pass this barn all the time and I finally had to stop to take a picture,” said Roman, an admirer of artists Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. “There was this little light that brings out this piece of the barn,” Roman said. “Now, I can use that.” The talent and commitment of his members is not lost on CSEA New York State Psychiatric Institute Local President Joe Aravena. "We can't forget that unions fought for things that are now sometimes taken for granted, like an eight-hour workday, and we need to keep fighting to maintain the dignity that labor's past struggles gave today's workers," Aravena said. “We come to work, every day and perform our duties professionally. But we’re much more than a title and a paycheck. We are valuable, creative and important members of our communities.” — David Galarza Mitchell 8 The Work Force November 2015
The Work Force - November 2015
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