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| − | The '''cat''' (or '''domestic cat''', '''house cat''') is a small [[carnivore|carnivorous]] [[mammal]] and a [[subspecies]] of the [[wild cat]]. The cat is a skilled [[predator]] and intelligent animal, known to hunt over 1,000 species for food, and capable of being trained (and learning by itself) to obey simple commands and manipulate simple mechanisms (see [[cat intelligence]]). It has lived in close association with humans for 3,500 to 9,500 years,<ref>{{cite web|title = Speaking of Animals|accessdate = August 15|accessyear = 2005|url = http://www.judithstock.com/Speaking_of_Animals/History_of_Cats/history_of_cats.html}}</ref> figuring prominently in the mythology and legends of several cultures.
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| − | They tend to utter a sound like "meow", in [[Icelandic language|Icelandic]] they say "mjá".
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| − | ===Black cat===
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| − | [[Image:Sabcat2.svg|thumb|left|The black cat is an important symbol of [[anarcho-syndicalism]] and radical [[unions]]]]
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| − | The '''black cat''', also called the "wild cat" or "sabot-cat", usually with an arched back and with claws and teeth bared, is closely associated with anarchism, especially with anarcho-syndicalism. It was designed by [[Ralph Chaplin]], who was a prominent figure in the [[Industrial Workers of the World]] (IWW). As its stance suggests, the cat is meant to suggest wildcat strikes and radical unionism. The IWW (or the Wobblies) was an important [[industrial union]], and was the first American labor union to recruit and organize women and people of color, and played a critical role in the fight for the eight-hour work day and in [[Free Speech]] fights all over the country in the early 20th century. Their most famous and influential years were from 1905 until they were largely suppressed by the [[Palmer Raids]].
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| − | The origin of the black cat symbol is unclear, but according to one story it came from a IWW strike that was going badly. Several members had been beaten up and were put in a hospital. At that time a skinny, black cat walked into the striker's camp. The cat was fed by the striking workers and as the cat regained its health the strike took a turn for the better. Eventually the striking workers got some of their demands and they adopted the cat as their mascot.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/19970815195121/http://www.eskimo.com/~jonkonnu/cat&shoe.html What's this with a black cat & a wooden shoe? What do they have to do with anarchy?]</ref> <!-- This is actually a better citation than it might look: Left Bank is a reasonably major anarchist Bookstore, and this is archived from their site. -->
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| − | The name ''Black Cat'' has been used for numerous anarchist-affiliated collectives and cooperatives, including a well-known music venue in [[Austin, Texas]] (which was closed following a [[July 6]], [[2002]] fire) and a now-defunct "collective kitchen" in the [[University District, Seattle, Washington|University District]] of [[Seattle]], [[Washington]].
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| − | As a symbol, the [[black cat]] has historically been associated with [[witchcraft]], ill [[omen]]s, and death. It dates back to ancient [[Hebrews|Hebrew]] and [[Babylonia]]n cultures. The witchcraft usage has persisted into modern times; anarchism shares the black cat symbol with witchcraft and [[Wicca]], though the latter two generally do not represent the [[cat]] with its back arched in a fighting stance.
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| − | ==References==
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| − | <references/>
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| − | [[Category:Cats|*]]
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| − | [[fr:Chat]]
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