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Radium Girls

from Richard Cory by Richard Cory

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about

The Radium Girls were female factory workers who contracted radiation poisoning from painting watch dials with self-luminous paint. The painting was done by women at three different factories, and the term now applies to the women working at the facilities: one in Orange, New Jersey, beginning around 1917; one in Ottawa, Illinois, beginning in the early 1920s; and a thirdfacility in Waterbury, Connecticut.

After being told that the paint was harmless, the women in each facility ingested deadly amounts of radium after being instructed to "point" their brushes on their lips in order to give them a fine tip; some also painted their fingernails, face and teeth with the glowing substance. The women were instructed to point their brushes in this way because using rags or a water rinse caused them to use more time and material, as the rinse was made from powdered radium, gum arabic and water.

Five of the women in New Jersey challenged their employer in a case over the right of individual workers who contract occupational diseases to sue their employers under New Jersey's occupational injuries law, which at the time had a two-year statute of limitations, but settled out of court in 1928. Five women in Illinois who were employees of the Radium Dial Company (which was unaffiliated with the United States Radium Corporation) sued their employer under Illinois law, winning damages in 1938.

This song is about the historical struggle to overcome the odds of the times and administer justice to those who are deceived by capitalists to be exploited for their personal gain both then and now.

lyrics

Children of eternity, resting in the folds of the earth
Their voice echoes through the ground "justice"
Exalted wisdom: never trust a money man

Slow motion death sentence
Slow motion death sentence

It's easier to believe stories that make us feel safe
But pawns are always expendable

Bones rotting, More blood more teeth
Bones rotting, More blood more teeth

Speak! With what times left (Cover up!)
A war we won with bone and blood
Foreknowledge of consequence (Cover up!)
Delivering death sooner or later

Our bones will glow forever (Our. bones. will. glow)
Our bones will glow forever (Our. bones. will. glow)
Our bones will glow forever (Our. bones. will. glow)
Our bones will glow forever (Our. bones. will. glow)

credits

from Richard Cory, released August 13, 2021
Cody Hanlon: Guitarist, Audio engineer/Producer
Kyle Kleemichen: Vocalist, Lyricist
Aaron Shook: Drums, Secondary Vocalist, Lyricist
Michael Leeper: Bass
Steven O'Day & Michael Strang: Gang Vocals

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Richard Cory Tampa, Florida

Richard Cory is a post-hardcore band with members out of both the Tampa and DeLand, FL areas.

Unsigned and completely DIY, RC is passionate about their local scene and works with their own guitarist's studio to record, mix, and master all their releases.

For more information or just to chat with the guys, find Richard Cory on Instagram, Facebook, Tumblr, and Twitter. ... more

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