In Barbara Ehrenreich's book, Nickel and Dimed, Ehrenreich leaves behind a life of luxury to discover how and american on a minimum wage salary gets by so she can write about it. Her intentions in this project are well set out but too many times for me she would judge those of the lower class. Her main point in my opinion is to expose those of the upper class to what life is like working a minimum wage job, or even more likely, two. She wants her readers to catch a glimpse of how a minimum wage job can or more commonly cannon get you by in American. Through the characters portrayed Ehrenreich shows the struggles that are faced by the lowest class of workers in America. As an up and coming teacher this book was meant to give me an insight on diverse aspects of America. It's goal in my class would be to teach me that I should not judge anyone based on where they come from, whether it be a culture I am not familiar with or economic class. Although I did not find enjoyment in reading this book I am appreciative of Barbara Ehrenreich's idea and attempt at learning about the lower working class from the inside.
8. Ehrenreich experienced remarkable goodwill, generosity, and solidatary among her colleagues. Does this surprise you? How do you thunk your own colleagues measure up?
I was not surprised at all by the goodwill, generosity and solidarity of Ehrenreich's colleges. I however was surprised at a lot of the judgments Ehrenreich made before even meeting these people. For example on page 121 Ehrenreich is figuring out where to go next and decides not to go to California because "Latinos might be hogging all the crap jobs and substandard housing for themselves." First of these "crap" jobs may be the only jobs someone can find and may actually find enjoyment in them and the negative connotation and diction in this quote just makes me angry. These people deserve a lot more credit than Ehrenreich originally gives them. I was not surprised because my family is of lower class and I have grown up believing that lower class people generally take a lot less for granted and therefore are more appreciative about the little things in life. They learnt that it is not money that is important in life and brings you happiness but it is those who you are surrounded by, friends and family.
Honestly I believe that my colleagues measure up very well to Ehrenreich's. I know that I can go to them if I never need anything. I unlike Ehrenreich have never worked a job that made a little more than minimum wage in my life. My coworkers are like my extended family and if it was not for them and my passion for my job I easily would be miserable with what I do.
8. Ehrenreich experienced remarkable goodwill, generosity, and solidatary among her colleagues. Does this surprise you? How do you thunk your own colleagues measure up?
I was not surprised at all by the goodwill, generosity and solidarity of Ehrenreich's colleges. I however was surprised at a lot of the judgments Ehrenreich made before even meeting these people. For example on page 121 Ehrenreich is figuring out where to go next and decides not to go to California because "Latinos might be hogging all the crap jobs and substandard housing for themselves." First of these "crap" jobs may be the only jobs someone can find and may actually find enjoyment in them and the negative connotation and diction in this quote just makes me angry. These people deserve a lot more credit than Ehrenreich originally gives them. I was not surprised because my family is of lower class and I have grown up believing that lower class people generally take a lot less for granted and therefore are more appreciative about the little things in life. They learnt that it is not money that is important in life and brings you happiness but it is those who you are surrounded by, friends and family.
Honestly I believe that my colleagues measure up very well to Ehrenreich's. I know that I can go to them if I never need anything. I unlike Ehrenreich have never worked a job that made a little more than minimum wage in my life. My coworkers are like my extended family and if it was not for them and my passion for my job I easily would be miserable with what I do.
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