Ron Hillier
Professor Wetzl
College Writing I
05 October 2009
The Working Poor: Reading Response #4
Reading chapter three was a complete reality check. The thing that really stuck out to me was the stories about immigrant sweat-shop workers, foreign and domestic. They work extremely long hours in horrendous conditions and get paid crumbs for their services. A service that most Americans would not be willing to perform. It’s hard to imagine living life in that fashion because we have it so easy in the U.S. We as laborers are protected by labor laws that our government has put in place, along with a minimum wage that ensures low-skill workers some sort of compensation. I honestly enjoyed chapter three of The Working Poor, but as I read on I could not help but think of the sweat-shop workers and how big of a role they play in everyday life. Shoes, clothes, whatever you can think of, they have probably been touched by the hands of an underpaid, mistreated laborer.
I feel that I have truly gained something from reading this passage. Not only did it bring me to reality, but it also gave me a sense of appreciation. I have never thought of a sweat-shop worker before I checked out at the shoe store, and my guess is that most people haven’t. We as Americans should possess a great appreciation for all workers who sacrifice so much, not only for themselves and their families, but for us. So from now on, I will make a conscious decision to keep in mind those laborers who have a great responsibility in making sure our country works as well as it does.
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I also wrote about how we don't think about the people who make the clothes we buy and I agree with you that after reading it I get a sense of appreciation. Its sad how we, as people, look past the scarrafices those workers are making just because we have such a need for things that really we could do with out. I think americans have this thing that if its out there, go get it!
ReplyDeleteNice blog, I agree with the fact we don't think about the processes the things we love in life take, and the people that pour time, sweat, and probably tears over the as you said "crumbs" the employer calls a wage. I wouldn't let what I learned in this chapter stop me from enjoying things I spend my hard earned cash on, but I will stop and appreciate what it took to get into my hands after purchasing it for an amount of capital FAR from what it cost to make.
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