Feeling a little Studs Terkel-y, obviously not as prolific as he, but with a common interest in human stories about people working, keeping things going. At the University of Texas, the best class I ever taught, called “Work in Popular Discourse”, was an honors group of the most cool students, interpreting a variety of media expressing ideas about what we do. (Grapes of Wrath, obviously, Woody Guthrie, obviously, a few Doonsebury comics, even my little…at that time….son’s childrens’ books….Ferdinand The Bull decided to lie under a tree rather than fight….and weird 1990’s videos like “How To Be An Astronaut.”) Wish Mad Men had existed then…gosh we could have had so much fun with that. Best class discussions and best student papers ever.
And yeah, we read Studs Terkel.
That class was part of the long path to my current book-in-slow-progress…how our various discursive environments influence our understanding of economics….who has, who does not, why, whether it’s OK…or not. Maybe that conversation never will end as long as people need and want.
So, people who work.
I’ve posted so much about my Lyft drivers who’ve helped me get around. Almost every one articulate, knowledgeable, real, working, yet driving people like me on the side.
Because COVID, now Omicron, for (I hope) only just a little while longer, I avoid the markets and rather now meet the delivery people, and the postal service guy (who always remembers me and my letters home) in the lobby. Those very considerate people who help me are working hard, busy long, long hours, multiple jobs. One of the people I met on delivery just a few days ago is a musician (it’s Austin, natch) who made it to my door (secured building, but we all do let folks in) and recognized I was streaming Mozart. Like just knew, and said…”that’s Mozart.” And he’s in a metal band. Nice discussion about music. Mozart to Stravinsky to Bowie to the Sex Pistols. Metal I don’t yet really understand.
And total respect for the ones who can understand IKEA assembly manuals. I’ve been assigned the best Task Rabbiters.
Respect also for the guy in an East Austin parking lot trailer who put together my bike (with the help of a generous friend).
Huge gratitude to the YMCA staff who already have helped my health to return and will coach me to be back on the bike again.
As Terkel’s classic observes, there are so many kinds of work. Currently first in class are the nurses, doctors, caregivers, responders, teachers.
Those who helped my Father and Mother through his final days.
I’m at desk most of my time, can choose my pace and schedule. I know for sure I’m very privileged because a writing deadline is my worst worry.
The drivers, delivery folks, nice mail guy, assemblers, …nurses, doctors, caregivers, responders, teachers. Some of those narratives, but absolutely surely not all, have been made known. Not everyone is great at the job but many more are. I’ve been able to converse with some and am glad for that. Maybe it’s time for a 2022 Terkel-y update.
Dayna Finet 