Let's leave the racism topic and go on to classism... Well, not really "leave" but lets shift focus because I'm sure we are bound to see the area of racism crossing within classism.
As I read the Adams text I can't help but to place scenarios in my mind that I have not only witnessed through life but I have personally lived through. Adams hits the spot in many of the writings. When the text goes into detail about paying for college and the debt that inquires within the years it left me dumbfounded. Those numbers have left me disgusted and wishing I had been around those days where government grants and scholarships was enough. Just like the essay in the Adams text reads "The Debt Trap" leaves me questioning how far this trap will be taking us.
Another reading in the Adams text that had me pondering so much that I had to stop reading after finishing was the text about the household workers that are hired by other women. As soon as I began reading this text it reminded me of my mom and how she has always been employed by people like this. I hate the fact that as a child I might not have known about the happenings of her employment. For us, it was a blessing for her to have this type of job and it sure was a blessing to receive the "gifts" that were given to us as of what I now know replaced the idea of receiving a bonus paycheck. My mom did complain about the longer hours she had to stay and about the extra work she had to do but in the end of it all it was a job that payed the rent. This quote summed everything up "... Thus, middle-class American women aim to 'liberate' themselves by exploiting women of color- particularly immigrants-in the underground economy, for long hours at relatively low wages, with no benefits."
I had never explored the concept of classism until the texts that I am getting the privilege to read now and it is honestly a mind boggling concept. I'm looking forward to discussing this in much further detail in class and get a glimpse of what everyone else in the class has to say.
I leave you with your thought...
Irene,
ReplyDeleteWell said. I see that we havr some of the same experiences when it comes to our moms working for other people. It just goes to show that no matter the age or the race, we all still have something in common. Thanks for keeping it real!
See you soon...
when I read the part about women of color being hired by other women it reminded me of the movie, The Help. That's twice this semester that readings or posts have made me think of that.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of classism really just brings me back to the days of the stories my nana used to tell me about working for families for little to nothing. It really makes to appreciate life now, and be grateful for everything I have. It sickens me to know that she had to go through that, but she's always told me "I worked for my family". I'll always be grateful:).
ReplyDeleteIrene, I too can relate to your situation with your mother. My mom too worked very hard and long hours cleaning houses and offices. I can remember always trying to stay up late just to see her but I rarely did because I always fell asleep. Id only be able to feel her kiss my forehead before she left in the morning. It's sad to know that children can loose out on a connection with their mother/parents because of this.
ReplyDeleteI see this all the time since I work in Terry Town. Nannies bring the children into the gym and take care of them. BUt nannying is interesting because sometimes people specifically won't hire people of color, and sometimes they request it (bilingual preferred). I think there is something to say about both.
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