A More Perfect Union: An Examination of the Film, Salt of the Earth, and the American Labor Movement

Authors

• Amber Montgomery

Publication Date

9-2026

Keywords

Film – Salt of the Earth, Workers’ Rights, Women’s Rights, Communism and Film in America, Biblical Basis for Workers’ Rights

Abstract

This paper examines the film, Salt of the Earth, which is based on the actual events of the Mine-Mill strike that took place in Hanover, New Mexico, in 1949. The strike was organized by Mexican workers with the help of their wives. The fight was over workers’ rights, as well as their dignity. At the same time, another fight was taking place. The wives of these miners were also seeking equality within their marriages, serving as a parallel narrative to the strike. To understand the environment at this time, this paper will also analyze American politics during this period, and how politics affected workers’ rights and those who participated in the film. Lastly, an examination between the treatment of workers and the responsibilities of those who hold power, as well as what it means to be the “salt of the earth,” will be done using the books of Micah and the gospel of Matthew.

Recommended Citation

Montgomery, Amber (2026) "A More Perfect Union: An Examination of the Film, Salt of the Earth, and the American Labor Movement," Say Something Theological: The Student Journal of Theological Studies: Vol. 9: Iss. 1, Article 1.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15365/3069-0919.1090
Available at: https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/saysomethingtheological/vol9/iss1/1