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Marian Kramer shares remembrances of her life with General Baker
DETROIT — A loved and respected revolutionary, General G. Baker, died in May 18, 2014 in Detroit, MI. The vision of a new world of peace and freedom crowned the struggles led by General. Here, Marian Kramer, shares some remembrances on their life together. — From the Editors
One of my most important remembrances is our mutual work. He was active in the labor movement and I in the anti-poverty movement; but we could see these movements merging their plight together. In the early 90s, for example, the labor movement was beginning to experience similar problems as people in poverty, like high water bills. Many came to the Michigan Welfare Rights Organization as we advocated for them. Gen loved the working class and would do anything to help them get through their misery and gain an understanding of the source of their problems. Through teaching, being a student, and fighting in the working class’s interest, we were able to learn and grow together.
Not only did Gen agree with the vision of a new cooperative world, he helped to develop the vision statement. He always used it in his teachings. He always taught that we can live in a better world and would go deeply into history and why it was possible today. He understood that the new technology is eliminating human labor, and also creating abundance.
Gen always had papers and books with him. Union sisters and brothers depended on him for his knowledge of where labor is going, and he always encouraged them to study. He set up groups; one was at Rouge Steel. The group studied the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, local papers and revolutionary papers, etc., to understand what was going on in the world. He wanted them to be aware that the local papers were not the only papers.
Gen had the patience to work with folks so they could see why they needed to become a revolutionary. He was a comrade to the many women who joined the revolutionary movement. They knew he was a man they could talk to and trust.
Our family life mirrored our vision. We forged together two different families. When I married Gen, we ended up with five daughters. Before we retired, we adopted our nephew and two nieces, who were all babies. We then had seven girls and one boy. We also have seven grand children. Our home was always open to our nieces, nephews their friends and basketball teams, etc. When we moved to Highland Park, MI, we purchased a home to accommodate all these kids.
Two families coming together is not easy, but we forged together a loving family. All the kids knew they could come over to Granny and Papa’s. They always knew the refrigerator would have a lot food for them. General loved cooking for them and being there for them.
In his final days, General said to our family and comrades, “Carry on the work!” He wanted everyone to understand they are the leaders we have been waiting for, and that it is up to all of us to carry on. Not one person can do it. He was a wonderful and caring husband, father, brother, friend and revolutionary. General will be greatly missed.
