General Baker facts for kids

General Gordon Baker Jr. (born September 6, 1941 – died May 18, 2014) was an American who worked to improve conditions for workers and fight for civil rights. He was known for helping to start important groups that fought for fairness.

Early Life and Education

General Baker was born in Detroit, Michigan. His parents moved there from Georgia so his dad could find work in the car factories. General graduated from Southwestern High School in 1958.

College Years and Activism

While studying at Wayne State University, Baker learned about ideas from Karl Marx. He became interested in socialism, which is about making society fairer for everyone. He also supported Black nationalism, which focuses on the rights and culture of African Americans.

In 1963, General Baker helped create a group called UHURU. This is a Swahili word that means "freedom." UHURU was an organization for African-American students at Wayne State University.

Visiting Cuba

In 1964, Baker traveled to Cuba. He wanted to learn more about the government led by Fidel Castro. After his trip, he came back to Detroit and started working at the Dodge Main car plant in Hamtramck, Michigan.

Fighting for Change

General Baker was not afraid to stand up for what he believed in.

Refusing to Serve in Vietnam

In 1965, Baker wrote an important letter to the draft board. He refused to go for a check-up to see if he was fit to serve in the Vietnam War. This was a big moment in America's history of people refusing to join the war.

Leading Worker Movements

In the late 1960s, Baker helped start two very important groups:

• The Dodge Revolutionary Union Movement (DRUM)
• The League of Revolutionary Black Workers (LRBW)

These groups worked to improve conditions for Black workers in car factories. Baker lost his job after taking part in some "wildcat strikes." These are strikes that happen without the union's official approval. After this, he couldn't find work in the car industry for a while. He eventually got a job at the Ford Rouge Plant in Dearborn, Michigan by using a different name.

Running for Public Office

Later in the 1970s, General Baker tried to become a politician. He ran twice for a seat in the Michigan House of Representatives.

Later Activism

Starting in the 1990s, General Baker was a main leader of the League of Revolutionaries for a New America (LRNA). He was the head of their main committee for twenty years.

Later Life and Legacy

General Baker passed away in Detroit on May 18, 2014. He was 72 years old and died from heart problems. His work helped shape the fight for workers' rights and civil rights in America.