General Gordon Baker, Jr., a revolutionary, labor and human rights advocate was born into this world on September 6, 1941.
Some of Gen’s first encounters with social injustices occurred during family trips from Detroit to Georgia. He spoke of not being able to stop at public restrooms or eat at restaurants during the long drive South. His encounter with labor injustices occurred at his very first job as a teenager at Woolworth’s Drug Store in downtown Detroit. He was only allowed to work certain positions and only night shift hours. Ironically, one of Gen’s first political protests against social injustice for a facility’s refusal to serve African Americans occurred at his first place of employment. This and other life events molded Gen into the committed, passionate activist we all knew.
In the early 1960s, Gen was a member of a student organization named UHURU, which focused on addressing community issues such as police brutality, substandard housing, unemployment, segregation practices and discrimination in Michigan.
Working at Ford Motor Company. like many other college students in Detroit, Gen also challenged discrimination and safety issues in the plant. It was at this time that Gen had the opportunity to travel to Cuba. With the Cuban revolution still fresh, Gen was introduced to political activists from around the world. This experience gave Gen an international perspective on struggles. Gen learned of injustices occurring globally.
On September 10, 1965, Gen responded to a draft notice from the US Army, directing him to become a soldier, refused induction into the Armed Forces and became one of the first Americans known to refuse the draft for the unjust Vietnam War.
A few years later Gen became one of the founding members of D.R.U.M.–Dodge Revolutionary Union Movement, which was the foundation for the league of Revolutionary Black Workers. Gen was a card-carrying member of UAW Local 600 Retiree Chapter. He was also a member of Michigan Welfare Rights Organization, and actively involved member with Highland Park Human Rights Coalition, Black Men in Union and Retirees for Single Health Payer Insurance.
Gen was a founding member and chair of the League of Revolutionaries for a New America.
